The portfolio operates under the direction of three Ministers with separate although related responsibilities for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development Cooperation and Pacific Island Affairs. The division of responsibilities, which was introduced in late 1992-93, enables increased ministerial direction and attention to be engaged on the pursuit of Australia’s overseas trade interests, development cooperation and relations with the South Pacific.
The portfolio comprises eight programs administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Safeguards Office (ASO), the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau (AIDAB), the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS).
In 1993-94 the portfolio operated on the basis of a new program structure, introduced at the end of the previous financial year. The former structure had five programs undertaken by the Department and separate programs undertaken by AIDAB, Austrade and ASIS. There were two major objectives in developing the new program structure:
o To present more accurately the Department’s contribution to achieving the Government’s trade and foreign policy objectives; and
o To improve accountability by providing more accessible information on the true cost of activities.
The new program structure has a single program covering the Department’s core business for the Government (program 1, International relations, trade and business liaison) and separate programs for the services provided by the Department to others. The sub-program structure follows closely the organisational (and therefore the budgetary) structure of the Department and includes the costs of administering posts. The provision of consular, passports and other services which among other things assist others to advance Australian interests overseas are covered in new programs 2, 3 and 4. The central executive and corporate services which support the service delivery programs are contained in program 5.
The portfolio now comprises the following programs:
1. International relations, trade and business liaison
2. Passport and consular services
3. Services for other agencies
4. Secure government communications and security services
5. Executive and DFAT corporate services
6. Development cooperation
7. Austrade
8. Australian Secret Intelligence Service
The first five programs are administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Australian Safeguards Office (ASO) was transferred from the Department of Primary Industries and Energy to the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio in June 1994. The Director of Safeguards, a statutory officer appointed under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987, is responsible to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The ASO’s principal functions include the administration of the Safeguards Act in conjunction with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, monitoring the operation of the Australia’s bilateral safeguards agreements, International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and advising the government on nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards matters. The ASO produces its own annual report, which is presented to the Parliament.
Program 6 is administered by the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau (AIDAB), an autonomous body within the Department.
Also within Program 6, a statutory body, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), is administered by its own board of management. A policy advisory council advises the board and the Minister for Development Cooperation and Pacific Island Affairs on policy direction for the centre. ACIAR was established to fund projects in key areas of agricultural research. ACIAR produces its own annual report, which is presented to the Parliament.
Program 7 is administered by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade). As a statutory body, Austrade also produces its own annual report, which is presented to the Parliament.
Program 8 covers the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), which is responsible to and under the control of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. ASIS’s capacity to serve Australia’s national interest continues to depend on its activities being fully protected by secrecy. The Government therefore adheres strictly to the practice of refusing to provide details of ASIS activities.
Various cultural bodies associated with the Department develop contacts between Australia and other countries. These are the Australia-Japan Foundation, the Australia-China Council, the Australia-New Zealand Foundation, the Australia-Indonesia Institute, the Australia-France Foundation, the Australia- Korea Foundation and the Australia-India Council.
Several advisory bodies address specific issues in the portfolio. These include the Editorial Advisory Board, which advises on the publication of historical documents; the National Consultative Committee on Peace and Disarmament, which is the medium for the exchange of views between government and the community on peace, disarmament and arms control issues; and the Advisory Council on Aid Policy, a forum for consultation between AIDAB and voluntary aid organisations.
Several bodies advise the portfolio’s three Ministers on trade issues. Currently, these are the Trade Policy Advisory Council, the Business Advisory Group on Europe and a series of joint trade committees (or similar bodies handling trade issues between Australia and individual countries).
The Australia Pacific Economic Cooperation Committee advises the Government on Australia’s interests in Asia-Pacific co-operation, particularly through the Pacific Economic Co-operation Conference (PECC).