Secretary's message

The corporate plan of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade articulates how the department will deliver on and measure its performance in delivering the Government's foreign, trade and investment, and development priorities.

The environment in which the department operates is undergoing significant change. Global uncertainty – driven by weak global demand and shifting strategic currents – continues to present significant challenges. As the Indo–Pacific's economic and strategic weight increases, regional cooperation and a commitment to open economies will be crucial to expanding prosperity and narrowing strategic risk.

The department is committed to using its core assets - its staff and its overseas network of posts – to advance Australia's core interests in this more complex global environment. Now more than ever, Australia's economic prosperity is influenced by regional and international conditions and developments, and defined by our ability to shape and respond to them. This also demands the department's close engagement on key economic and productivity debates in Australia.

The department has an ambitious agenda to deliver over the next four years. This corporate plan, prepared in the 2015-16 reporting period, outlines how the department will perform its functions for the period 2015-16 to 2019-20, as required under paragraph 35(1)(b)/95(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. The larger result of the Corporate Plan, as outlined in the department's 2015-2019 Strategic Framework, is to help make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous.

Peter Varghese AO

Secretary