Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Minister for Foreign Affairs |
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| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | |
| Style | The Honourable |
| Appointer | Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Australia |
| Inaugural holder | Edmund Barton (as Minister for External Affairs) |
| Formation | 1 January 1901 |
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The Minister for Foreign Affairs, often called the Foreign Minister, is a very important job in the Australian government. This person helps Australia talk to other countries around the world. They lead the part of the government that handles international friendships and agreements, called the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The current Foreign Minister is Senator Penny Wong. She was chosen by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in May 2022. Penny Wong is special because she is the first woman from the Australian Labor Party (ALP) to hold this role. She is also the third woman in a row to be Foreign Minister, following Julie Bishop and Marise Payne.
This role is one of the top jobs in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Another important role is the Minister for Trade and Tourism. The Foreign Minister also has other helpers. These include the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, currently Pat Conroy, and the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, currently Tim Watts.
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What Does the Foreign Minister Do?
The Foreign Minister is usually one of the most senior members of the Cabinet. The Cabinet is a group of top ministers who make big decisions for the country. This job is similar to the Secretary of State in the United States. It is a very important role in shaping how Australia deals with other nations.
Many Prime Ministers of Australia have also been the Minister for Foreign Affairs. This shows how important the job is! The minister helps the Prime Minister decide Australia's foreign policy. This means they help create and carry out plans for how Australia will act towards other countries. They are also the main person who speaks for the government on international issues.
The Foreign Minister travels a lot. They meet with leaders and representatives from other countries. These trips help build strong relationships and solve problems between nations.
A Look at the History of the Role
The job of Foreign Minister has been around since 1901. For a long time, it was called the Minister for External Affairs. In 1970, the name changed to Minister for Foreign Affairs. For a few years, from 1987 to 1993, it was known as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. After that, the "Trade" part became a separate job, the Minister for Trade.
The very first person to hold this important role was Edmund Barton. He was also Australia's first Prime Minister!
Current Ministers and Their Roles
Today, the main Foreign Minister is Penny Wong. But there are other important roles that help with Australia's international work.
Minister for International Development and the Pacific
This minister focuses on helping other countries, especially those in the Pacific region. They work on international development and humanitarian aid. This means they help with things like providing support after disasters or helping countries grow and improve.
The current Minister for International Development and the Pacific is Pat Conroy. In the past, this role was sometimes called the Minister for International Development.
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
This minister helps the main Foreign Minister with their many duties. They support the Foreign Minister in managing Australia's relationships with countries around the world.
The current Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs is Tim Watts. This role helps make sure all the important foreign affairs tasks are handled well.
Images for kids
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The Commonwealth Coat of Arms
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The Flag of Australia
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Penny Wong, the current Minister for Foreign Affairs
