Joint Media Release
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, and the Minister for Trade
12 February 2003
Advancing the National Interest
Today we have launched Australia's second White Paper on foreign and trade policy - Advancing the National Interest.
Australians can be positive about our prospects and our standing in the world. Our relationships are in good order, underpinned by our strong economy and good defence and security capabilities.
But we cannot afford complacency. The horrific Bali bombings last year and the threat of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and North Korea remind us that we cannot take our security for granted. And economic globalisation will continue to test Australia and our partners in the region and beyond.
For these reasons, the White Paper focuses on measures we will take to counter international threats to our security, especially terrorism.
It outlines the Government's commitment to economic reform and the most ambitious and wide-ranging trade policy agenda of any government in Australia's history, including our strong lobbying for trade liberalisation.
It reinforces the Government's strong commitment to strengthening our key relationships wherever these are in the world, as Australia's interests become increasingly global.
This sequel to the 1997 White Paper reaffirms our commitment to inform Australians of our strategies for maintaining and advancing the security and prosperity of Australians in this fluid international environment.
Advancing the National Interest sets out the issues and relationships that matter most to Australia. It shows how we can use our strengths and attributes to ensure our future and international standing in an era of increasing globalisation.
Contacts: Chris Kenny (02) 6277 7500 or (02) 6277 7500 (Mr Downer) / Robyn Bain (02) 02 6277 7420 (Mr Vaile)