This chapter was contributed by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). A special article was provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. (March 2012)
Australia’s foreign and trade policies are designed to advance the security and prosperity of Australia and Australians in an increasingly complex and challenging international environment.
This chapter examines a number of aspects of Australia’s international engagement, including bilateral and multilateral relationships; human rights policy; and interests in the areas of security, economy and the environment. It includes an overview of the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in international relations and detailed information on Australia’s overseas aid program.
Statistics contained in the Year Book are the most recent available at the time of preparation. In many cases, the ABS website and the websites of other organisations provide access to more recent data. Each Year Book table or graph and the bibliography at the end of each chapter provides hyperlinks to the most up to date data release where available.
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This page first published 24 May 2012, last updated 11 November 2015
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INTRODUCTION
This chapter was contributed by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). A special article was provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. (March 2012)
Australia’s foreign and trade policies are designed to advance the security and prosperity of Australia and Australians in an increasingly complex and challenging international environment.
This chapter examines a number of aspects of Australia’s international engagement, including bilateral and multilateral relationships; human rights policy; and interests in the areas of security, economy and the environment. It includes an overview of the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in international relations and detailed information on Australia’s overseas aid program.
This edition of Year Book Australia includes a special article on the role of the Australian Bureau of Statistics in international relations.
Related information can be found in chapters 6 DEFENCE, 28 GOVERNMENT FINANCE and 31 INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTS AND TRADE. A number of chapters also include an International comparisons section showing data comparing Australia with other countries.