Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | Departments/Agencies

Birmingham defends Austrade officials

By Shannon Jenkins

Federal

Former trade minister Simon Birmingham has voiced support for commonwealth diplomats following calls for Australia to look to other markets in light of China’s trade…

Commonwealth’s digital trade deal with Singapore begins

By Shannon Jenkins

Economy & Industry

The Australian and Singaporean governments have officially commenced a deal that aims to make it easier for businesses and consumers in both countries to access…

Public servants getting on with it in relation to China

By Shannon Jenkins

Editors' Picks

While it's been an enormous job for public servants from across various departments to overcome the China-Australia challenges, it's one they have risen to, as…

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The Briefing

The Briefing: DFAT, Agriculture hardly the only departments burdened by worsening Australia-China ties

By Chris Woods

Editors' Picks

Following a year marked by calls for a global inquiry into COVID-19's origins, escalating trade tensions, and last week's meme war, Australian departments working with…

Commonwealth relying on public servants to engage with China ‘as they always have’, Morrison says

By Shannon Jenkins

Federal

The PM said APS officials are not expected to solve the problems with Australia-China relations and should focus on engaging with Chinese officials like they…

DFAT task force appointed to help Cormann with OECD campaign

By Shannon Jenkins

Federal

The former finance minister has faced criticism this week after it was revealed he has been travelling around Europe in a taxpayer-funded private plane since…

Former Ambassador calls for ‘massive investment’ in diplomacy amid spiraling China relations

By Matthew Elmas

Former Ambassador to China Geoff Raby has warned diplomacy must be returned to the heart of Australia’s foreign relations if the country is to navigate…

Ex Democrats senator elected to UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women

By Shannon Jenkins

Community & Social

Commencing her four-year term in January, Natasha Stott Despoja will be the first Australian to serve on the committee in almost 30 years.

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Insights and analysis

The plan to inoculate Australia: How governments will vaccinate more than 16-million people in less than a year

By Matthew Elmas

Features

Australia will draw on cross-disiplinary expertise in a society-wide effort to deploy a vaccine for coronavirus next year.

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Insights and analysis

How women in leadership are helping DFAT deal with the pandemic through a gendered lens

By Matthew Elmas

Features

A concerted effort to increase diversity across the most senior levels of Australian diplomacy is helping to shape COVID-19 recovery efforts through a gendered lens.

Payne ‘very sorry’ over DFAT’s accidental disclosure of email addresses

By Shannon Jenkins

Federal

'I am very sorry that these events have occurred. And as you say, this is the third occasion. I am sorry that they have occurred,'…

Rex Patrick takes aim at Alexander Downer over foreign consultant job

By Shannon Jenkins

Federal

Former diplomat and foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer’s new role working for the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar has set a 'dubious standard' for the…

Australian preventative and proactive policies can reduce displacement risk in the Pacific, says new research

By Shannon Jenkins

Federal

It is in Australia’s national interest to respond to rising displacement in the Pacific with a suite of preventative policies, according to a new policy…

DFAT accidentally reveals email addresses of stranded Australians

By Shannon Jenkins

Federal

The emails containing the e-addresses were sent by the department on Wednesday, and contained information on a new loans program.

Mandarin Talks: the decline of the US, the rise of China, and Australia’s role

By Shannon Jenkins

Federal

What should a public servant do if their government demands things of them which go against the values of integrity and impartiality? The answer is…