The vibe of the thing is why Australians are so fed up

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade were questioned in a Senate hearing about a $266,000 consultancy contract awarded to develop a First Nations foreign policy strategy, nearly two years after the contract began. The department has yet to finalize a formal strategy document despite extensive consultations and significant spending on the ambassador's international travel, raising concerns about accountability and transparency in Indigenous diplomatic efforts.

Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) faced questioning this week in a Senate estimates hearing regarding a $266,000 contract awarded nearly two years ago to a Sydney-based consultancy. The contract was intended to assist in developing a strategy for a "First Nations approach to foreign policy."

Liberal Party senator David Sharma raised concerns about the expenditure, noting the presence of Justin Mohamed, Australia’s Ambassador for First Nations People. Mohamed’s office reportedly operates with a budget of $13.6 million over four years, employs 10 staff members, and has an annual expenditure approaching $400,000. The senator questioned why additional consultant funding was necessary given these existing resources.

During the hearing, DFAT official Elizabeth Peak described the contract’s purpose within the office of First Nations international engagement, stating that work was ongoing to determine where the office and ambassador could most effectively allocate their resources. Another DFAT representative, Justin Lee, emphasized the extent of consultations conducted, indicating more than 100 meetings involving the ambassador, his staff, and the contracted consultants.

Senator Sharma also questioned the timeline for delivering the strategy that the contract was meant to produce. Despite the passage of nearly two years, DFAT was unable to provide a definitive date. Jan Adams, another department official, indicated that while a written document did not exist, there was an agreed-upon strategic direction guiding the ambassador’s work. She clarified that the strategy was not formalized in a specific document at this stage.

The hearing revealed that since his appointment, Ambassador Mohamed had undertaken 28 overseas trips by January, with combined travel expenses for himself and his supporting staff estimated at $800,000. The high number of international engagements, coupled with the ongoing work on the overseas First Nations strategy, highlighted the department’s significant investment in advancing this diplomatic portfolio, though tangible outcomes remain unclear.

The exchange has drawn attention to concerns over accountability and transparency within the department’s First Nations engagement efforts. The ambiguity surrounding the strategy’s development and deliverables has fueled broader frustration among some political observers who see this as emblematic of a disconnect between bureaucratic operations and public expectations.

DFAT officials committed to providing Senator Sharma with a more detailed written update on the strategy’s status, following the hearing. Meanwhile, the episode has prompted reflection within Canberra on the challenges of effectively implementing and communicating policies related to Indigenous representation in foreign affairs.