Foreign affairs.
Neutral.
Four posts.
Australia is neutral. The country pursues no alliances, joins no military pacts, imposes no sanctions on third countries, and intervenes in no foreign disputes. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been dissolved. Foreign relations are the responsibility of the Prime Minister and a new portfolio: the Minister for Independence.
The four posts
- Washington — the United States remains a major trading partner and the relationship is preserved on a transactional, non-alliance basis.
- Jakarta — Indonesia is Australia's nearest substantial neighbour and a key partner for housing and construction inputs.
- Beijing — China is Australia's largest trading partner, particularly for the steel and minerals products of the new manufacturing base.
- Budapest — a central European location that serves consular needs across the continent at a fraction of the cost of maintaining individual European missions.
Each post operates with approximately 50 staff. Consular services have been moved online for routine matters.
Trade-policy approach
Trade-policy remains active and assertive. Where the previous foreign policy bundled trade and security into a single alliance posture, the new approach treats trade as a pure commercial relationship: Australia sells to whoever pays best and buys from whoever sells best. China is a major customer for Australian processed minerals; Japan is a partner in shipbuilding and rail construction; Indonesia and India are partners in housing inputs. The four-post structure focuses diplomatic energy where commercial volume exists.