Australia–Saudi Arabia relations

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Australian-Saudi relations
Map indicating locations of Australia and Saudi Arabia

Australia
Saudi Arabia

Bilateral relations exist between Australia and Saudi Arabia. Australia has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate in Jeddah; and Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Canberra and a consulate in Sydney.

Relationship history[]

Australia and Saudi Arabia established relations following the end of World War II. The two countries are members of G20.[1]

Saudi Arabia and Australia were part of the joint-alliance with the United States during the Cold War, as both were strongly anti-communist and hostile to the Soviet Union.[2] Once the Cold War came to an end, Saudi Arabia and Australia increased their cooperation.

Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates, is Australia's major market partner in the Middle East.[3] Over 6,200 Saudi students studying at Australian education institutions in 2019.[1]

With Saudi Arabia announced Saudi Vision 2030, Australia was viewed highly for its contribution to the vision development.[4]

In 2016, it was stated that Saudi embassy staff overspeed and do not pay their fines.[5]

In 2018, after Australian Jamal Khashoggi activist was assassinated, the Australian government condemned the Saudi authorities and stated that Australian diplomats would not be attending an international event later that year.[6]

2018 World Cup qualifying controversy[]

During the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Third Round, Australia faced up Saudi Arabia in an important game over 2018 FIFA World Cup in Adelaide. The match happened after the deadly Manchester Arena bombing killing 23 people and two sides were informed to make one-minute silence; however the Saudi team, instead of observing one minute, disrespected the local populace by taking on the ground.[7] This has caused uproar that Saudis did not demonstrate respect for the population and that Saudis didn't respect the deaths despite Saudi explanation that it wasn't part of Saudi culture, given how they already observed silence for the Qatar Airways Cup match between Al-Ahli Saudi FC and FC Barcelona a year earlier.[8] The Saudi officials later apologized for the misdeed and claimed to correct the mistakes.[9] Australia won the game 3–2 but only managed to qualify for World Cup throughout playoffs while Saudi Arabia managed to become one of four Asian teams to qualify first.

Opinion polls[]

According to a 2020 poll by the Lowy Institute, Saudi Arabia is the most negatively perceived country by Australians, scoring only a 32% positivity rating.[10]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Saudi Arabia country brief | DFAT".
  2. ^ "Full report for Australia's Relations with the Middle East record of adherence to prior agreements has been either grudging, incomplete, Date: 21/07/2010 - Collection: Committees - Sub Collection: HoR Committee Reports, ID: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/Mideast/MEreport.pdf - Size: 3.3 Mb" (PDF).
  3. ^ "[PDF] Overview of Australia s trade with the Middle East and North Africa - Free Download PDF". silo.tips.
  4. ^ Feature, Advertising (September 26, 2019). "Saudi Arabia has a bold vision for 2030". The Canberra Times.
  5. ^ "Canberra's foreign diplomats have $500,000 in unpaid speeding, red light, traffic fines".
  6. ^ "Scott Morrison 'deplores' killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi | Australian politics | The Guardian".
  7. ^ Safi, Michael (June 9, 2017). "Saudi Arabia footballers ignore minute's silence for London attack victims" – via www.theguardian.com.
  8. ^ "Saudi football team fail to observe minute's silence for London Bridge attack victims". The Independent. June 8, 2017.
  9. ^ "Saudi football chiefs apologise over London attack tribute". June 9, 2017 – via www.bbc.com.
  10. ^ "Reference at poll.lowyinstitute.org".

External links[]

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