Representation of Indigenous Australians in Australian foreign policy, including the development assistance program, has been a growing focus of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The release of a new plan that aims to increase Indigenous engagement and representation in the Pacific is the latest phase in an incremental process, which continues to advance opportunities for Indigenous Australians.
The Indigenous Engagement Plan for the Office of the Pacific was launched internally by DFAT at the end of February. Between now and 2023, DFAT’s Indigenous strategy will focus on improved representation through three core strategies:
1. Increased representation of Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander peoples, businesses, and perspectives in Pacific programming.