Australian foreign policy - a liberal perspective

The Coalition Government has been responsible for Australia's foreign and trade policy during a period of historic change in our region. The Asian economic crisis, Indonesia's democratic transformation, East Timor, developments in the South-West Pacific, and the continuing challenges and opportunities presented by globalisation are just some of the key themes of the past five years. It has been a demanding yet invigorating period in Australian foreign policy. In a portfolio area that is rich with commentators and analysts, the Coalition Government has stayed focused on policies, priorities and strategies to advance the interests of Australia and its people. As was outlined in the 1997 White Paper on Australia's foreign and trade policy, the security of the Australian nation and the jobs and standard of living of the Australian people are the interests which lie at the core of foreign and trade policy, and everything the government does in the field of foreign and trade policy must be applied against this basic test of national interest.