Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)
The Minister for Foreign Affairs (commonly shortened to Foreign Minister) is the minister in the Government of Australia who is responsible for overseeing the international diplomacy section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Senator Marise Payne was appointed as Foreign Minister by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in August 2018 following the resignation of Julie Bishop. A subordinate position, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, has been held by Zed Seselja since 22 December 2020. This position was previously held by Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells from 2016 to 2018, Anne Ruston from 2018  to 2019, and Alex Hawke from 2019 to 2020. Scope. The minister is usually one of the most senior members of Cabinet – the position is equivalent to that of Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in Britain or Secretary of State in the United States – 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. List of ministers for foreign affairs. The portfolio has existed continuously since 1901, except for the period 14 November 1916 to 21 December 1921. Prior to 6 November 1970, the office was known as the Minister for External Affairs. Between 24 July 1987 and 24 March 1993 it was known as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Starting with the Keating Government, the Trade  portfolio has been administered separately by the Minister for Trade. The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs, or any of its precedent titles: Notes List of Ministers for International Development and the Pacific. The Minister for International Development was responsible, in the Rudd Cabinet, for the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the international development and humanitarian aid policies of the Commonwealth of Australia, administered through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). AusAID was abolished by the incoming prime minister, Tony Abbott, in September 2013 and under the operations of the Abbott Cabinet  its functions were absorbed into DFAT. The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for International Development and the Pacific, or any precedent title: Former ministerial titles. List of ministers for tourism. Since 1966, Australia had ministers responsible for tourism under various titles. The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for Tourism, or any of its precedent titles: List of ministers assisting the minister for foreign affairs. The following individuals have been appointed as Minister assisting the Minister for Foreign Affairs or any of its precedent titles: