Shaping Australia’s foreign policy for the future

Today we invite the Australian community to help inform and shape the Australian Government's Foreign Policy White Paper.

The White Paper will build on the Government's foreign policy achievements over the last three years and will outline Australia's most important principles and interests for engaging with the world and working with allies and partners in the decade ahead.

There have been significant changes domestically and globally since the last White Paper was developed thirteen years ago. The optimism of the Arab Spring has given way to the aftermath we are seeing in Syria, Libya, Yemen and elsewhere. Developments in the East and South China Seas are now headlines around the world.

The global economy has been through its greatest crisis since the 1930s and our international role is now enhanced through organisations such as the G20 and East Asia Summit.

The White Paper will include analysis of international opportunities and challenges facing Australia and the Indo-Pacific region as a result of these shifts and will guide our foreign policy and diplomatic efforts.

The Government is reaching out to hear the views of organisations and individuals. Critical to this outreach is the call for all interested parties to offer their input through the public submissions process. All submissions will be considered carefully and be used to inform and improve our preparation of the White Paper.

Public submissions are open until 28 February 2017. Information about the public consultation process and submissions is available on the Foreign Policy White Paper website.