Thread by @stephendziedzic

Right. So the Foreign Minister will soon give what has been pitched as a major foreign policy speech in the @dfat building. Diplomats from every country have been invited. US Ambassador Arthur Culvahouse Jr is here, as well as China’s Deputy Head of Mission

Payne says Australia has “agency and influence” in the emerging era of strategic competition. She stresses the existing order is not static but says changes should be negotiated through discussion, not the use of power 2/

Payne stresses the importance of regional powers like Indonesia, Japan, India. Gently chides media and commentariat for focussing solely on the contest between the US and China. Says Australia has a vision for the region which is “open” and “inclusive” 3/

Payne runs through a familiar list of the government’s foreign policy investments and agreements- Pacific Step up, Southeast Asia mini Step up, infrastructure partnerships, trade deals, the Japan-Australia RAA, Thailand-Australia strategic partnership etc etc 4/

Payne announces new funding to help ensure flights continue in the Pacific during the pandemic. Doesn’t say how much money- will report back on this. This was going to be announced by the PM in PNG before the trip was cancelled due to political drama in POM 5/

Payne says Australia will provide vaccines to the region but stresses it will also give technical support to ensure distribution is swift and effective. So far, so predictable 6/

Payne - “the key to survival in 2020 has been cooperation.” She thanks the gathered diplomats for cooperation over the year. And ... that’s it. Payne concludes to polite applause 7/

So, in brief: a very sunny speech in the circumstances. Big emphasis on cooperation and multilateralism. No breaking news and not one mention of the elephant in the room. I don’t think I heard the word “China” pass the FM’s lips even once (will double check this) 8/