Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)

Encyclopedia : D : DE : DEP : Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)

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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is an Australian Government department. Its role is to manage relations between Australia and other nations, both in political and economic terms. The department is an amalgamation of two of the original government departments created shortly after the federation of Australia, the Department of Trade and Customs and the Department of External Affairs, and was created in 1987.

The headquarters of the Department are located in Canberra in the suburb of Barton, Australian Capital Territory on State Circle between Brisbane Ave and Sydney Ave, near Parliament House.

Functions

DFAT is responsible for implementing much of Australia's foreign policy through its diplomatic efforts, with many of its public servants referred to as members of the Australian Diplomatic Service. The department's main aim is to protect and advance the national interest of Australia — as defined by the federal government — and to promote Australia as a nation overseas. The department helps to develop and administer trade between Australia and other nations by providing links to business and governments overseas and also by researching the various factors involved with such trade. DFAT also maintains all consular and passport services to Australian citizens in both Australia and overseas, and operates Australian embassies, High Commissions, consulates and various other international governmental offices.

Oil-for-Food Programme involvement

In 2005, DFAT became embroiled in the Oil-for-Food Programme scandal after it was revealed it had approved the Australian Wheat Board's (AWB) request allowing it to pay 'trucking charges' to Alia, a Jordanian trucking company with no actual involvement in the trucking of Australian wheat within Iraq. The Cole Inquiry into the AWB was established, however its terms of reference excluded any investigation of the role of DFAT. [link]

See also

• Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Minister for Trade
• List of Australian Commonwealth Government entities

External links

• [Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Website]

Australian Government Departments

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | Attorney-General's | Communications, Information Technology and the Arts | Defence | Education, Science and Training | Employment and Workplace Relations | Environment and Heritage | Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs | Finance and Administration | Foreign Affairs and Trade | Health and Ageing | Human Services | Immigration and Multicultural Affairs | Industry, Tourism and Resources | Prime Minister and Cabinet | Transport and Regional Services | Treasury

 

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