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Australia–Denmark relations

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Australia–Denmark relations
Map indicating locations of Denmark and Australia

Denmark

Australia

Current and historical relations exist between Australia and Denmark. Australia has an embassy in Copenhagen,[1] and Denmark has an embassy in Canberra.[2]

History

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In the 1890s, there was no trade between Australia and Denmark, so in the 1920s, the Danes in Australia formed the Danish-Australian Chamber of Commerce to import products from Denmark such as Tuborg, Junket and Hirschsprung cigars.[3] On 1 May 1952, an agreement on visas was signed in Canberra.[4]

In the 1980s, after the visit of Uffe Ellemann-Jensen to Australia, the relations between Australia and Denmark were described as warm and friendly.[5]

In 2010, both countries made a deal to ship 6,100 tons hexachlorobenzene waste from Australia to Denmark.[6] Greenpeace protested outside the Australian environment ministry to show their opposition to the shipment of Hexachlorobenzene from Australia.[7][8] On 23 December 2010, Danish Minister of Environment Karen Ellemann cancelled the deal because of the pressure.[9]

As of 2019, the ambassador of Denmark to Australia is Tom Nørring.[10]

Trade

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Monthly value of Australian merchandise exports to Denmark (A$ millions) since 1988
Monthly value of Danish merchandise exports to Australia (A$ millions) since 1988

In 2008, trade between Australia and Denmark amounted to $1,19 billion.[11] In 2009, Danish export to Australia amounted 4,8 billion DKK and Australian export amounted 697 million DKK. In 2008, Danish investments in Australia was 6,6 billion DKK.[12]

Migration

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8,000 Danes migrated to Australia after World War II. Over 50,000 Australians claim Danish ancestry.[13]

High-society visits

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On 1 February 1987, Danish Queen Margrethe II visited Australia.[14] In December 2009, during the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited Denmark.[15] On 17 August 2010, then Crown Princess Mary visited Tasmania, her Australian state of origin. Queen Mary, although a Danish citizen due to her marriage to King Frederik X, was born and raised in the Australian state of Tasmania. It is this royal connection between the two countries that has had the most effect on their respective citizens' interests in their bilateral ties, particularly in Australia's media coverage of Denmark-Australian relations and Danish royalty. News on Danish royal affairs are common in Australia.[16]

Treaties

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A number of Australia–Denmark bilateral treaties have been agreed between the two countries, covering extradition, trade, taxation, social security, defence and other matters.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Government of Australia. "Australian embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  2. ^ Government of Denmark. "Danish embassy in Canberra, Australia". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Denmark). Archived from the original on 9 April 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  3. ^ Jens Sorensen Lyng (1939). The Scandinavians in Australia, New Zealand and the Western Pacific. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  4. ^ Treaty series 301. United Nations. 1958. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  5. ^ Australian foreign affairs record 56. Australia. Dept. of Foreign Affairs. 1985. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  6. ^ "Australia under fire over toxic waste shipment". ABC News Canada. 3 November 2010. Archived from the original on 9 January 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  7. ^ "Danish ban puts local union in a bind over loading toxic waste" (PDF). The Sydney Morning Herald. PRO Herben H.F.B. 27 November 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2011.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Denmark takes Australia's toxic waste". Big Pond News. 16 June 2010. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  9. ^ "Karen Ellemann stopper kemi-transport". B.T. (tabloid). 23 December 2010. Archived from the original on 26 December 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  10. ^ Brook, Benedict (2 December 2016). "Danish Ambassador launches first Australian chapter of Cycling Without Age". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Australian and Danish Trading on the Move". Enspiro. July 2009. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  12. ^ "Landefakta Australien". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (in Danish). WayBack Machine. Archived from the original on 4 January 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  13. ^ Government og Australia. "Denmark country brief". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  14. ^ "The Royal Visit to Australia in March 2004 was a success". Danish Church Australia (in Danish). Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  15. ^ "Rudd to visit Japan en route to Denmark". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  16. ^ "Fotogrfer må ikke filme Mary i Australien". DR. 17 August 2010. Archived from the original on 23 August 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2011.