Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)

The R.G. Casey Building in Canberra is the headquarters of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

In the Government of Australia, the Minister for Foreign Affairs is responsible for overseeing the international diplomacy section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior to 1970, the office was known as the Minister for External Affairs. The minister is usually one of the most senior members of Cabinet â€" the position is equivalent to that of Secretary of State in the United States or Foreign Secretary in the United Kingdom â€" as shown by the fact that eleven Prime Ministers of Australia have also worked as the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The minister is seen as one of the people most responsible for formulating Australia's foreign policy, as they along with other relevant ministers advise the Prime Minister in developing and implementing foreign policy, and also acts as the government's main spokesperson on international affairs issues. In recent times, the minister also undertakes numerous international trips to meet with foreign representatives and Heads of State or Government.

The current Minister for Foreign Affairs is Alexander Downer, who is the longest-serving Minister for Foreign Affairs in Australian history.

List of Australian Foreign Ministers

* Edmund Barton Protectionist Party 1901-1903
* Alfred Deakin Protectionist Party 1903-1904
* Billy Hughes Australian Labor Party 1904
* George Reid Free Trade Party 1904-1905
* Alfred Deakin Commonwealth Liberal Party 1905-1908
* Egerton Bachelor Australian Labor Party 1908-1909
* Sir Littleton Groom Protectionist Party 1909-1910
* Egerton Bachelor Australian Labor Party 1910-1911
* Josiah Thomas Australian Labor Party 1911-1913
* Patrick Glynn Commonwealth Liberal Party 1913-1914
* John Arthur Australian Labor Party 1914
* Hugh Mahon Australian Labor Party 1914-1916
* Billy Hughes Nationalist Party of Australia 1921-1923
* Stanley Bruce Nationalist Party of Australia 1923-1929
* James Scullin Australian Labor Party 1929-1932
* John Latham United Australia Party 1932-1934
* George Pearce United Australia Party 1934-1937
* Billy Hughes United Australia Party 1937-1939
* Henry Somer Gullett United Australia Party 1939-1940
* John McEwen Country Party 1940
* Frederick Stewart United Australia Party 1940-1941
* Dr. H.V. Evatt Australian Labor Party 1941-1949
* Percy Spender Liberal Party of Australia 1949-1951
* Richard Casey Liberal Party of Australia 1951-1960
* Robert Menzies Liberal Party of Australia 1960-1961
* Garfield Barwick Liberal Party of Australia 1961-1964
* Paul Hasluck Liberal Party of Australia 1964-1969
* Gordon Freeth Liberal Party of Australia 1969
* William McMahon Liberal Party of Australia 1969-1971
* Leslie Bury Liberal Party of Australia 1971
* Nigel Bowen Liberal Party of Australia 1971-1972
* Gough Whitlam Australian Labor Party 1972-1973
* Don Willesee Australian Labor Party 1973-1975
* Andrew Peacock Liberal Party of Australia 1975-1980
* Tony Street Liberal Party of Australia 1980-1983
* Bill Hayden Australian Labor Party 1983-1988
* Gareth Evans Australian Labor Party 1988-1996
* Alexander Downer Liberal Party of Australia 1996-

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