Australia Yearbook - 2001

112 Year Book Australia 2001
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade over the
century—a chronology
1901 The Departments of Trade and Customs, and External Affairs are among the seven foundation
departments of the Australian Federal Government in 1901. The Department of External Affairs is
initially responsible for immigration and territories, with external affairs largely conducted by the
United Kingdom.
1903–11 Trade Commissioners are appointed to Europe and the ‘Far East’ by Prime Ministers Deakin and
Reid and the Victorian Government.
14 Nov 1916 The Department of External Affairs is abolished, with functions adopted by the Prime Minister’s
Department.
1919 Cabinet approves resolution of Commonwealth Board of Trade that “An Australian Trade
Commissioner should be immediately appointed in Egypt and anywhere else in the Near or Far East
and other places where opportunities for trade appear to offer”. Board recommends appointment of
trade commissioners to the East Indies, Mesopotamia, China, Japan, India, South Africa, South
America and Siberia.
1921 Department of External Affairs is re-established. Its main responsibility is to handle matters
associated with Australia’s membership of the League of Nations.
1 Oct 1924 R.G. Casey is established in London as Liaison Officer. He has unrestricted access to classified
Foreign Office and Cabinet information and communicates with the External Affairs Branch within
the Prime Minister’s Department as well as maintaining direct communication with Prime Minister
Bruce.
1925 Australia signs a trade agreement with Canada.
Mar 1926
The term of A.E. Hyland as Director of Trade Publicity in the United Kingdom (1926–39) sees a new
professional approach to publicity and a marked increase in sales of Australian produce in the
United Kingdom. Government funds for this activity are supplemented by the exporting industries
themselves.
1930 L.R. Macgregor takes over as ‘Trade Commissioner’ in Canada—he also performs some diplomatic
and consular functions.
1933–34 The Trade Commissioner Act creates an overseas service and regulates its operation. Trade
Commissioners appointed to Shanghai, Tokyo and Batavia.
19 Nov 1935 W.R. Hodgson becomes the first Secretary of the fully separated Department of External Affairs,
which becomes a separate foreign office and—from 1939—administers an overseas diplomatic
service.
1939 Department of Information is established in Acton, Australian Capital Territory, the first
institutionalised effort to promote Australia internationally
1939 At the outbreak of WWII the Department has 29 permanent staff. Overseas representation
comprises an officer attached to the British Embassy in Washington and another who liaises with
the Foreign Office in London.
1 Feb 1940 The first Legation opens in Washington DC under R.G. Casey. Raised to an Embassy on
19 July 1946.
28 Mar 1940 The first High Commission is established at Ottawa under Sir William Glasgow.
19 Nov 1940 Legation at Tokyo opens under Sir John Latham. (Closed on 8 December 1941 and reopened with a
Political Advisor (B.C. Ballard) on 4 November 1945. Raised to a Mission on 1 April 1947 and to an
Embassy on 28 April 1952.)
1 Sep 1941 An Official Representative (V.G. Bowden) established at Singapore. Post evacuated on 14 February
1942, reopened as a Commission on 2 December 1945.
10 Dec 1941 A post is established at Dili under D. Ross. Evacuated in June 1942 and reopens as a Consulate on
1 Jan 1946 (C. Eaton). Closed 31 August 1971. Reopens in June 1999.
1943 Diplomatic Cadet Scheme commences. First intake includes three women and nine men.
2 Jan 1943 Legation at Moscow opens under J. Slater. Raised to Embassy on 16 February 1948.
15 Dec 1943 High Commission at Wellington opens under T.G. D’Alton.
23 Mar 1944 High Commission at New Delhi opens under Sir Ivan Mackay.
1945 At the end of WWII the Department of External Affairs has grown to 106 permanent staff, of which
39 are diplomats serving overseas. The immediate post-war years bring a rapid expansion of posts,
with nearly 30 new diplomatic missions opened between 1945 and 1950.