DFAT Annual Report 2013-14

Secretary’s online message

2013–14 has been a year of both achievement and change for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In a time of transition around the globe and in our region, our work advanced Australia’s national, economic and development interests.

The department placed economic diplomacy at the core of our international engagement.

In practice, this means that at all of our overseas posts and in Australia we are committed to promoting trade, investment, growth and business.

2013–14 was the most intensive period of free trade agreement negotiations in the department’s history.

We finalised free trade agreements with Korea and Japan, made significant progress towards a free trade agreement with China, and advanced discussions on others, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

We saw good returns on our investments in the bilateral relationships that most impact Australia’s strategic environment and economic prospects.

And our targeted regional and multilateral diplomacy, including in ASEAN and the EAS, advanced our objectives of regional stability and prosperity.

At the United Nations Security Council, Australian advocacy secured important international security outcomes, including the first ever council resolution on small arms and light weapons.

The pilot phase of the New Colombo Plan was a major achievement. Over time, it will lift knowledge of the Indo–Pacific in Australia and strengthen Australia’s linkages to the region.

But aside from many policy successes, this was a year in which the department underwent enormous internal change.

Climate change negotiations and some international tourism policy became DFAT responsibilities in late 2013.

And from the first of November 2013, we assumed responsibility for Australia’s aid policy and programs as AusAID was integrated into the department.

We advised on and implemented the Government’s new aid policy and performance framework which aligns the aid program with our foreign, trade and economic priorities, and encourages sustainable economic growth to reduce poverty, lift living standards and enhance stability in our region.

I’m pleased that the significant and complex integration process was finalised on time by the end of the reporting year.

Our passports and consular services remained in high demand. We assisted 14 thousand Australians overseas and issued 1.8 million passports and other travel documents

There’s no doubt that this has been a challenging year for the department—but we have risen to meet that challenge.

With the hard work and professionalism of the department’s dedicated staff in Australia and overseas, I’m confident that we are well positioned to meet the challenges of the year ahead.

I invite you to explore the online annual report to learn more of the department’s performance and achievements in 2013–14.