Embedding First Nations perspectives, experiences and interests into Australia’s foreign policy does more than project an image of a more inclusive Australia. It makes a substantial contribution to achieving key Australian interests.
There are some commonalities in approach across different countries who have sought to better incorporate the interests of their Indigenous Peoples into foreign policy. Principles of collaboration and mutual respect often form the foundation. Canada offers an example. Good policymaking effectively engages those communities it impacts, as well as draws from relevant experience to make it stronger.
Amid questions over what a First Nations foreign policy means in practice, ideally it involves engaging and including Indigenous Peoples as part of the design and decision making on foreign policy matters that affect them, or to which they can meaningfully contribute. For Australia, such an approach would also help the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade meet obligations under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, designed to address the relative disparity between First Nations Australians and non-Indigenous Australians.
First Nations people have much to offer on issues such as climate action, fisheries management, intellectual property, human rights, and cultural heritage repatriation. Drawing on these perspectives offers Australia an advantage in its international diplomacy.
Australia’s economy only stands to benefit through greater inclusion of First Nations businesses and peoples as part of its trade agenda.
On climate, the COP31 bid provides an opportunity for Australia to “walk the talk” both in terms of including First Nations in decision making that affects them, and more broadly in highlighting First Nations knowledge and sustainable practices tied to environment management and climate adaptation. This includes cultural burning and traditional fishing practices.
According to Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator, the combination of First Nations’ knowledge of Country with modern science (the “savanna fire management method”) has reduced emissions by almost ten million tonnes since 2012. This fire management practice helps safeguard biodiversity and reduces the impact of wildfires. Such an example has the potential to be useful in other countries with savanna environments, such as Botswana.
On sustainable oceans management, for centuries, Indigenous Peoples have effectively managed marine resources by adhering to a proscribed set of rules that respect the marine ecosystem, including for example by never taking more than needed, and for many of Australia’s First Nations, not taking undersized or pregnant fish. With global fish stocks under dire threat from overfishing, such lessons of traditional systems need to be urgently re-learned to restore ecological balance and safeguard this vital food source for billions around the world.
On trade and investment, the Australian government (through DFAT and Austrade), has committed to an inclusive agenda that “aims to amplify First Nations voices, representation and participation”. As part of this effort, DFAT seeks to establish a pilot First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group to “help deliver trade and investment benefits for First Nations people and communities”.
Australia’s economy only stands to benefit through greater inclusion of First Nations businesses and peoples as part of its trade agenda – in 2022-23, First Nations exporters generated over $670 million in revenue. While Australia has yet to establish a standalone geographical indications system (other than for wine), serious consideration should be given to the potential benefit of such a system to protect the names of Indigenous plants and botanicals (e.g. protection for geographical indications that include names such as: Macadamia nut, Kakadu Plum, finger limes, lemon myrtle, etc) for Australian First Nations communities and producers. For example, when considering the global Macadamia nut market is expected to reach $6.95 billion by the end of 2030, Australia would be remiss not to fully capitalise on its prized native foods and botanicals. Ideally, First Nations people would be actively included in these deliberations and final decisions.
On the international development front, Australia’s International Development Policy seeks to elevate the perspectives of First Nations Australians “to the heart of our development program”. An example of successful knowledge and practice transfer is the South Fly Ranger Program in Papua New Guinea which adapted the Australian First Nations community-led ranger model. There are now 180 trained local community rangers across the South Fly District. Not only are the rangers collecting data to inform food security planning for the area, the rangers have been involved in the delivery of women’s health education and reproductive health services.
A First Nations approach to foreign policy which seeks to adopt a system of more meaningful engagement on relevant foreign policy priorities leads to better policy and outcomes. The process will take time, and there may be teething problems while adjusting to new ways of working, but we all stand to miss out without this change.
