DFAT report warns Albanese government needs more diplomats overseas amid China’s growing threat of war
The government has been blasted after a report exposed Australia’s shrinking presence in the face of China’s aggression.
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Exclusive: A secret review has sounded the alarm about Australia’s shrinking presence overseas, warning the Albanese government cannot do diplomacy “on a shoestring” as China becomes more aggressive.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade report, obtained by News Corp, reveals Australia has fewer diplomats posted overseas than it did in 1989 in a network that is one of the smallest of all developed countries.
It also declares that Australians travelling abroad need “more services and protection” in the face of conflict, the pandemic, extreme weather events and mental health issues.
The diplomatic footprint review – ordered by DFAT boss Jan Adams – begins with a stinging critique of the “parlous state of DFAT’s funding” caused by a “crushing bipartisan effort over more than three decades”, according to ex-Lowy Institute research director Alex Oliver.
“We are skimping on diplomacy while investing heavily in defence,” she said.
Ms Oliver, in comments from 2020 highlighted in the review, said DFAT was constantly “forced to do more with less” as real funding in 2024 was due to be lower than in 2014.
“At a time when our instruments of international relations should be at their peak, they are – save for the very healthy Defence portfolio – at their lowest ebb ever,” she said.
“Australia’s international policy infrastructure is in danger of atrophy to the point of paralysis.”
While much of the review – released under Freedom of Information laws – was heavily redacted, DFAT authors Tim Kane and Greg Ralph concluded Australia remained “down the bottom of the ‘league tables’ of countries’ overseas diplomatic missions”.
They said Australia’s allies expected us to “pull our weight” on major issues overseas.
“The consistent message from all posts in every region has been not to attempt to do diplomatic missions on a shoestring,” they wrote.
“With a much more contested and complex geostrategic environment and rapidly shifting regional dynamics, especially in areas of high importance to Australia such as the Pacific and Southeast Asia, posts must be properly staffed and resourced to protect our interests and enhance our influence.”
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham urged the government to release the full report and a “comprehensive response” to its findings.
“The Albanese government’s hypocrisy on transparency continues. The government has kept this report secret for four months and has still only released a heavily redacted version,” he said.
“Effective international engagement is about so much more than staff numbers, particularly at a time of growing regional contestability.”
“The report, released through an FOI, will only reduce confidence in the capacity of our diplomatic service, so the government needs to respond to it in ways that restore confidence.”
Senator Wong’s office has not responded to questions about the secret DFAT review.
Senator Birmingham said the report acknowledged that the former Coalition government had ensured Australia was well-represented in the Indo-Pacific region, having delivered new posts in India and across the Pacific.
Ms Adams told a Senate hearing last month that she had not yet briefed Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong on the report but would make the case for changes when appropriate.
Senator Wong welcomed the department’s review, saying the government planned to “increase Australia’s engagement and influence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region”.
“We should be spending what are always scarce resources where they have, frankly, the best return on investment for the country,” she told the hearing.
The report concluded the location of DFAT posts overseas was “broadly appropriate” and Australia was “well represented in the Indo-Pacific”.
But it said diplomatic apprenticeships to develop more experienced staff were “central to our long-term survival”, and that Australia’s chanceries and residences needed to be preserved.
The review also highlighted the importance of trade in Australia’s foreign policy but urged caution to ensure the “push for greater sustainability does not become an excuse for protectionism at a cost to our agricultural sector”.
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Originally published as DFAT report warns Albanese government needs more diplomats overseas amid China’s growing threat of war
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