State Visits are usually very formal affairs, with lots of gilt and glitter. But, with a relationship as close as Australia and New Zealand’s, you’d be forgiven for asking whether any of that is really necessary. We’re such great mates; wouldn’t it be possible to just get together for a barbecue? Why do we bother with all of the formalities?
DFAT has been on quite a journey over the past 20 years. We now have a growing cadre of highly skilled and motivated Indigenous officers who are advancing Australia’s national interests at home and abroad.
With huge smiles, the business people I met shared exciting plans for attracting inward investment and driving local exports into new markets. I had come to talk about the importance of expanding trade with South East Asia but they were ahead of me and had so much to share.
A White Paper may sound bureaucratic and complicated but getting it right can make a real difference to Australia’s security and prosperity.
We do right now have an extraordinarily challenging role in mapping out the ‘known’ and ‘unknown unknowns’ confronting Australia’s national and international interests. Harder than anything else I can remember in my time in the job.
As Australia’s Ambassadors converge on Canberra for the very first Global Heads of Mission Meeting or GHOMM, we are poised to make a meaningful contribution to Australia’s Foreign Policy White Paper.
Overall, it is a privilege to serve Australia abroad. There is never a day that I don’t marvel at the extraordinary role as well as the responsibilities I have been given. This spurs me to work hard and smart to make Australia proud.
