Department of Foreign Affairs
6 November 1970 – 24 July 1987
Previously Department of External Affairs (1921–1970).
Department of State responsible for Australia's foreign policy, international relations and overseas diplomatic and consular network from 1970 to 1987.
Names over time
- Department of External Affairs1921–1970
- Department of Foreign Affairs1970–1987
How it came into existence
Renamed from the Department of External Affairs on 6 November 1970, while William McMahon was minister, with the same staff and functions. It later took over relations with Papua New Guinea from the Department of External Territories (November 1973) and overseas visa work from the Department of Immigration (June 1974).
- Foreign policy and international relations
- Diplomatic and consular network
Changes during its life
- Papua New Guinea matters on the eve of self-government
- Visa functions
Wikipedia's article on the Department of Immigration lists the Department of Foreign Affairs as its successor for visa functions; whether passports moved at the same time is not confirmed.
- Overseas information and publicity (later the Australian Overseas Information Service)
- Aid administration
- Colombo Plan programs
- Multilateral aid contributions
How it ended
Merged with the Department of Trade on 24 July 1987 to form the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as part of the Hawke government's consolidation of departments.
- Foreign policy
- Diplomatic and consular network
- Passports
Main functions
- Foreign policy and international relations
- Diplomatic and consular representation overseas
- United Nations and other multilateral affairs
- Treaties and international agreements
- Relations with Papua New Guinea after self-government
- Overseas aid policy (aid administered through the Australian Development Assistance Agency and Bureau from 1974)
- Issue of visas overseas (from 1974)
Bodies in this portfolio (3)
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 (sets it out)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 11 March 1983, as amended to 30 January 1987 (sets it out)
2 more Administrative Arrangements Orders set it out
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 22 December 1975 (sets it out)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 11 March 1983 (sets it out)
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.