Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs

Across the span of human history and the seismic shifts of eons of global politics, a year may seem inconsequential. But, awaiting the passing of eras, administrations or generations to judge our international policy lets our foreign policy makers off the hook.

Compared with other areas of Australia’s public policy, which are assessed rigorously and constantly, our foreign policy makers are subjected to light scrutiny.

As we look back and cast forward in this way, it also gives us grist for thinking about what criteria we should be using to assess the health of Australia’s international position.

Read An overdue re-examination of Australia’s place in the world by Michael Wesley published in The Age.