First Nations and Feminist Approaches to Foreign Policy in Australia

Recently, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand adopted Indigenous/First Nations approaches to their foreign policies. Both countries have seen strong civil society discourse emerge around the concept of a feminist foreign policy (FFP) but have not formally adopted this agenda. Focusing on the Australian context, this conversation explores the meaning of an Indigenous approach to foreign policy, and its relationship with a potentially feminist one. It brings together two key figures on the forefront of these debates in Australia: Julie Ballangarry, a PhD student and activist; and Alice Ridge, Senior Research, Policy and Advocacy Advisor at the International Women’s Development Agency. Four questions guide this conversation: What is an Indigenous approach to foreign policy? What political circumstances have led to its adoption in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand? Would such an approach be compatible with an FFP? Why has the former been adopted but not the latter? Why does Australia pursue gender equality in its foreign policy work but shies away from referring to this work as ‘feminist’?