Australia elected Vice-Chair of Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group

  • Media release

Australia has been elected Vice-Chair of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) at the conclusion of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London.

CMAG compromises a committee of eight Foreign Ministers who act to uphold the Commonwealth Charter. The Group assesses infringements of the Commonwealth's shared political values and deals with serious or persistent violations. It has the power to suspend a member country or even recommend expulsion from the Commonwealth.

As Foreign Minister, I look forward to serving with the Chair of CMAG HE Monica Juma from Kenya, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland in this important role.

Since its establishment in 1995, this represents the first time that women have occupied the three roles of Chair, Vice-Chair of CMAG, and Commonwealth Secretary-General.

Australia is joined on CMAG by the Foreign Ministers from Kenya (Chair), Samoa, United Kingdom, Ghana, Malaysia, Barbados and Belize.

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