Trade in oil, petroleum, financial services, telecommunications and precious metals will be restricted or prohibited across these entire sectors. The new sanctions have been imposed in an attempt to increase pressure on the Assad regime which continues to ignore Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan’s six point peace plan.

These sanctions have been put in place in addition to financial and travel sanctions already in place on individuals and entities associated with the Assad regime.

“The Assad regime continues to show its unwillingness to negotiate a ceasefire and bring an end to Syria’s bloodshed,” Carr said. “These sanctions reflect Australia’s condemnation of the Assad regime, and our continued efforts to help bring Syria to the negotiating table.”

Australia is not alone in imposing sanctions on the country.  The United States and European Union have already put in place their own sanctions on Syria.

Australia’s sanctions will also include expanding the list of individuals and groups targeted for financial and travel restrictions and the existing arms embargo will be retained.

The decision follows the landslide by-election victory by pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi earlier this month.  The changes underway in Burma were warmly welcomed by Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Trade Minister Craig Emerson.

“Reducing our sanctions and encouraging trade recognised the far-reaching political, economic and social reforms we are witnessing in Burma in recent times,” Carr said.

The changes included a cut in the number of people Australia imposes travel restrictions on from 392 to around 130. People cut from the list include the President of Burma and a number of parliamentary officials involved in the reform.  Military figures and those about whom there are human rights concerns will remain restricted.

“We will continue to encourage the Burmese Government and Parliament, including by granting full political freedoms and reconciling with ethnic groups,” Carr said.

Carr’s words were in acknowledgement of the Burmese Government’s release of over 500 political prisoners and progress made towards peace with ethnic groups.

Australia would also end their policy of neither encouraging nor discouraging trade nor investment with Burma.

“I welcome the opportunities that normalised trade ties will present for the Burmese people and Australian companies,” Emerson said.

The ease of sanctions and normalising of trade are hoped to give encouragement to Burma’s leaders to continue their current path of reform.

Monday’s Labor caucus ballot prompted a cabinet reshuffle as the Prime Minister dealt with Kevin Rudd’s move to the backbench and Senator Mark Arbib’s resignation.

Carr said he “couldn’t say no” when offered the opportunity to join the government.

Though Simon Crean and Defence Minister Stephen Smith, who held the portfolio before Rudd, were in line for the position, Gillard is said to have been working to appoint Carr all week.

Carr has said he wants to honour Rudd’s achievements in his new role, but admitted there would be inevitable differences between their different approaches to the job.

Former Attorney-General Robert McLelland was demoted to the backbench following his strident support of Rudd, and criticism of Gillard, in the lead up to Monday’s ballot.

Gillard thanked him for his many years of service to the ministry, praising him as a great Labor man.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson, who also supported Rudd, were not moved from their portfolios, while Kim Carr became Minister for Human Services.

Brendan O’Connor was promoted to cabinet, becoming Minister for Small Business and Minister for Housing and Homelessness.

Greg Combet, Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, Industry and Innovation, also benefited from the reshuffle, adding Manufacturing to his portfolio.

ACT Senator Kate Lundy was named Minister for Sport, Multicultural Affairs, and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation, while Jason Clare became Minister for Defence Materiel.

In addition, Nicola Roxon’s support of Gillard earned her the title of Emergency Management Minister, with Minister for Sustainability and Environment Tony Burke becoming Vice President of the Executive Council.

Trade Minister Craig Emerson added Competiveness to his role, while David Bradbury was made Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Deregulation.

The last cabinet reshuffle was in December.