Australia to head middle-power club

Australia has nominated counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and transnational crime as priorities for its term as co-ordinator of a club of middle-power countries next year.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop addressed a gathering of diplomats and ambassadors from Mexico, Korea, Turkey and Indonesia in Canberra on Wednesday, saying despite the diversity of the five nations there was much common ground.

There was also scope for increased co-operation on improving effectiveness of foreign aid delivery, she said.