Amid an increasingly tense geopolitical landscape, officials from the usually secretive Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) have fronted a Senate Estimates hearing to address questions about Australia’s major foreign policy challenges.
Their appearance at the hearing comes against the backdrop of fears Russia is preparing to mount a military invasion against Ukraine as well as ongoing fraught relations with the Chinese government, which are fuelling concerns over the two superpowers' potential threat to the global world order.
It also follows a brutal military coup in Myanmar, placing pressure on Australia to amplify its engagement with Asian partners towards addressing the crisis.
Estimates provide a rare glimpse into the work of officials navigating the Australian government’s response to these issues on the global stage of world diplomacy.
Here is what we learned from their time in the public spotlight on Wednesday:
Ukraine
DFAT Officials were questioned about the Russian military build-up as some 150,000 troops gather near the Ukraine border, prompting a diplomatic flashpoint over fears of conflict erupting.
Russia’s defence ministry overnight announced some soldiers and hardware were leaving the border region to return to their bases at the end of planned exercises.
But DFAT deputy secretary Katrina Cooper said there remained deep concern about the situation, citing US President Joe Biden’s warning “an invasion remains distinctly possible".
"We're hearing suggestions that a diplomatic off-ramp is still possible," she said.
"There's grounds for very cautious optimism in terms of what we've seen overnight. [But] The capability is clearly there for a full scale invasion."
Labor Senator Kristina Keneally had questioned whether officials had been too "passive" with Ukrainian support, with offers for help not being backed up with action.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne vehemently denied any hesitation or passivity on behalf of Australia.
"We are ready to move when those countries move," Senator Payne said regarding Russian sanctions.
Cyber affairs ambassador Tobias Feakin also said detailed discussions regarding cyber cooperation with Ukrainian counterparts are "well progressed".
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne at Senate Estimates in Canberra on 16 February. Source: AAP/Mick Tsikas
The hearing was told 186 Australians in Ukraine have registered with DFAT, and a large number had already left.
The Russian government has denied it intends to mount an invasion.
China
The Australian government’s strained relations with Beijing were also addressed in the hearing, including attempts by the Morrison government to pressure Labor over its response to the issue.
Senator Keneally had pushed foreign affairs officials and the foreign minister on the importance of bipartisanship in managing diplomatic relations, following these Liberal attacks.
A senior foreign affairs official said China is seeking to exploit social division, as the Liberals ramp up its attempt to paint Labor as weak on national security.
"It's fair to say the Chinese system seeks to exploit social and other divisions in countries to pursue its interests. That's very apparent," department deputy secretary Justin Hayhurst said.
"Clearly, at a time of strategic and security challenges, having the right systems and high levels of social cohesion, these things better equip countries to handle disruption challenges, security threats and risks."
Senate Payne had also been directly asked whether she had sought to reassure any of Australia’s allies on the level of bipartisanship in Australia’s national security and foreign policy.
“I always assure them of Australia’s strength and resilience and the values that we hold,” she said.
France’s fury
Senator Payne was also questioned about attempts to stabilise relations with France, following backlash over the government’s scuttling of a $90 billion submarine deal with the French government.
Labor senator Kimberly Kitching had pushed foreign affairs officials and the foreign minister about whether the bilateral relationship remains strained after texts between Prime Minister Scott Morison and Emmanuel Macron were leaked.
Senator Payne said she has been in numerous discussions with French officials in recent weeks to re-establish trust after the leaking of the president's private messages.
Senator Payne and secretary Kathryn Campbell also said other heads of states have not directly expressed concerns about the leaking of the text messages.
Ms Campbell said officials are "working very closely with our French counterparts to ensure that the bilateral relationship remains strong".
Detention of Australians
Officials also provided an update on the Chinese government’s detention of Australian citizens Dr Yang Hengjun and journalist .
DFAT officials said Australian consular staff had met with both of them on 28 January, consistent with the regular pattern of consular visits.
DFAT assistant secretary Greg Wilcock said the notional deadline for a verdict on the case Mr Yang was 9 April but this could be extended by up to 3 months.
For Ms Cheng that deadline is 19 April, with the same extension possible.
Australian Sean Turnell - who was an economist to Myanmar's former democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi - also continues to be held in detention.
Myanmar
DFAT officials were also asked about the Australian government’s ongoing response to the military coup in Myanmar last February.
The United Nations has said that one year on, violence and brutality has only intensified, with more than 400,000 people displaced amid increasing internal conflict between the military and armed ethnic groups.
Ms Cooper said “further sanctions” remained under consideration but had not been enforced, with officials instead focusing on dialogue through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
“We are very active in trying to address the really dreadful situation in Myanmar,” she said.
Taiwan
Tensions across the Taiwan strait were also raised in the estimates hearing.
Mr Hayhust said the situation between Taiwan and Beijing had not “appreciably deteriorated” in recent months but “remains very serious”.
In October last year, the flashpoint was aggravated after a record number of Chinese air force planes have flown into Taiwan’s self-declared Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
China claims Taiwan as its own territory, which should be taken by force if necessary.
Mr Hayhurst the Australian government continued to make “explicit” that conflict across the strait should be avoided at all costs.
“It was serious then, it remains serious now and we are watching it with concern,” he said.
With AAP
