Historical Documents from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Historical Publications and Information
Documents on Australian Foreign Policy is a project supported by successive governments since 1971 to document the evolution of Australia's external relations. The content of volumes in the series is scrutinised by a Committee of Final Review comprising the Minister for Foreign Affairs and delegates of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. An Editorial Advisory Board, comprising eminent scholars and distinguished former public servants, together with representatives of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in attendance, advises the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The first part of the project, comprising Documents on Australian Foreign Policy 1937-1949, was completed in 2001.
The second series, which is thematic rather than chronological, began in 1997 with publication of a volume of documents entitled The Australia-Japan Agreement on Commerce 1957 and continued with Australia and the Indonesian Incorporation of Portuguese Timor, 1974-1976 (2000) and The ANZUS Treaty 1951 (2001) Australia and Recognition of the People’s Republic of China, 1949-1972 and The Negotiation of the Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement 1983 (2003) (to order volumes follow link hardcopy order)
In 2001 and 2003, the department also brought out a two volume narrative history to commemorate the Centenary of Federation entitled Facing North: A Century of Australian Engagement with Asia Volume 1: 1901 to the 1970s and Volume 2 1970s to 2000 ( Melbourne University Press).
The department maintains basic biographical and administrative data on departmental functions and diplomatic personnel from 1901. In general, requests for access to departmental records or photographs and enquiries about archival material should be addressed to the National Archives, but researchers in Australia and overseas are welcome to approach the department directly for information on historical sources.
In September 2004 HPI launched a new series of historical monographs on topics that elucidate the work of the department, either on foreign and trade policy issues or the services we provide to Australians, entitled Australia in the World The Foreign Affairs and Trade Files. The first topic in the series was Australia and the Origins of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Document Access
The department provides a reference service to help the public locate research material from departmental records available under the Archives Act 1983 (these include records held by the National Archives of Australia). We also review archival records for residual sensitivities related to Australia's international relations, as part of the declassification of Commonwealth records for public release.
The department’s Image gallery is a source of images, both contemporary and historical, of the department and it predecessor agencies. The images, which depict the department’s work and how it benefits Australia and Australians may be dowloaded for reproduction in publications, websites, displays and media articles, subject to copyright and privacy consent permissions being sought by the user, where applicable.
The majority of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade archival photographs, including those previously owned by the Australian News and Information Bureau and its successors, are now in the custody of the National Archives of Australia.
General Enquiries and Information Requests:
Dr David Lee
Director, Historical Publications and Information Section.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
R.G. Casey Building, John McEwen Crescent
BARTON, ACT 0221
Fax : 61 2 6261 1445
Telephone: 61 2 6261 9111
E-mail: hdu@dfat.gov.au