25 January 2025
Today’s reshuffle of the shadow ministry concludes my time as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
It has been an honour to lead my Liberal and National Senate colleagues in both government and opposition since 2020.
I again thank them for their support and officially congratulate my successor as Senate Leader Michaelia Cash and her new Deputy Leader Anne Ruston on their election to these crucial roles.
Throughout my time as Senate Leader our leadership team has always comprised a majority of women. I am thrilled that Michaelia will be the first woman to lead the Liberal Senate team, with Anne joining her to create our first ever all women leadership pairing, supported by Bridget McKenzie as the Nationals Senate Leader.
This will be a powerful team to hold the Albanese Government to account during the remainder of this parliamentary term, and hopefully to lead a new Dutton Government in the Senate following the next election.
I also thank all of the foreign governments, parliamentarians, diplomats, officials and stakeholders with whom I have worked as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs since May 2022, many of whom I had the privilege of also engaging with in government, particularly during my appointments as Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and as Minister for Finance.
We face the most challenging of global environments, with what until relatively recently were seen as stable security and economic paradigms now facing great disruption. Wars against Ukraine and Israel, who are among the nations I was proud to visit as shadow minister, along with conflicts in many other parts of the world, including Myanmar in our own region, bring enormous suffering to far too many people.
Our international institutions are currently failing to prevent or end such conflicts, especially in the face of aggressor states who prioritise disruption over peace.
Australia’s future security depends upon effectively deterring and dissuading those seeking to upend global peace and stability from further conflict. Deterrence requires strong defence capabilities and partnerships, such as AUKUS, that ultimately enable diplomacy to preserve peace and stability in our Indo-Pacific region.
Maintaining economic strength against international headwinds will require Australia to remain committed to the openness of our economy, supporting open trading relationships and investment flows, especially with our closest economic partners across Asia. Upholding and improving the network of trade agreements secured by the previous Coalition Government remains central to our future prosperity.
As I said at the time of my appointment to the foreign affairs portfolio, Australia is at its best when we speak with one voice to the world. I have tried to uphold this ideal where possible, openly extending bipartisan support in many instances and welcoming the opportunity whenever possible to join the Foreign Minister in demonstrations of unity, particularly on our bipartisan missions to Pacific Island nations.
Our fellow Pacific Island nations should know that all Australian governments are committed to respecting their sovereignty, investing in their wellbeing, and working as partners to ensure the stability of our region.
However, it has been deeply troubling to see the Albanese Government abandon aspects of longstanding bipartisan Australian policy in relation to Israel and the Palestinian people, especially with respect to the pathway to a possible two-state solution.
I am delighted to see David Coleman appointed as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs. David brings intellect, nuance and work ethic to the role, along with deep connections into many of the multicultural communities who strengthen Australia’s ties with the rest of the world. David would be a principled, thoughtful and active foreign minister advancing Australia’s interests and values in a Dutton Government.
With the transfer of leadership and frontbench responsibilities complete, I will now move to finalise my resignation from the Australian Senate.
Serving our country at the highest of levels will always be the greatest of honours in my life. Although I will shortly take up new roles in the corporate sector, I remain committed to contributing to good policy and our national interest wherever I can and look forward to finding new, less partisan ways of doing so.