Attention has long been turned to Australia's capacity to influence its region through diplomacy. It was one of the Foreign Affairs Department's alumni, Liberal MP and former diplomat Dave Sharma, who turned the national spotlight on the issue in 2020.
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The department's budget had remained the same for about 20 years, despite the national security and international challenges of those decades, he said. However Mr Sharma put it back on the agency to find some solutions.
It was on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to put its hand up and offer solutions to the government's challenges, while also promoting its value, he said.
There's no disputing that Australia has increased its defence spending, grown its national security apparatus, and boosted funding for intelligence agencies while neglecting to give its diplomatic capacity the same kind of attention.
It is noteworthy, then, to hear the views on Australia's diplomacy heft from a former official who has worked across those various parts of government. Duncan Lewis has been an ambassador, ASIO chief and in defence, both a uniformed and civilian public servant.
It was his transition from the Defence Department to his role as ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO that showed him a shortcoming in Australia's approach to foreign affairs.
Diplomacy had been underdone and the nation needed to lift its game in that space.
"I think that has probably become even more acute since I left government, because the need for very clever and innovative diplomacy is particularly necessary for a middle power," he said in an interview with The Canberra Times on Tuesday.
"You need to tread very confidently but cautiously. It sounds a bit contradictory but you need to be both confident and cautious as you move forward and I think diplomacy could do with a bit of a shot in the arm."
In light of Major General Lewis' comments, it is worthwhile returning the nation's attention to its efforts in diplomacy.
Australia cannot afford a lopsided approach that favours only massive military spending.
The government does seem to have partly heeded warnings about the need for diplomatic resources. In the last federal budget, it provided a modest funding boost and gave DFAT some additional staff after it was forced to downsize.
Whether that's enough to invigorate Australia's diplomatic capacity at a time the nation critically needs it is another question. The strategic outlook is clearly growing tougher and more uncertain.
Consequences for miscalculation are potentially high. So often, the federal government still seems to muddle through in responding to the geopolitical challenges.
The officials working in this space are hard working and dedicated - their response to the challenges of Covid were a reminder, if one was needed. Unfortunately, dedication and work ethic aren't enough to help Australia secure its interests overseas through its diplomatic corps. DFAT needs to be well-resourced.
As Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell reportedly once told former DFAT secretary Frances Adamson, if DFAT is effective, he can keep his expensive tools in the shed.
If Australia is to pursue its national interests effectively on the world stage, it cannot afford a lopsided approach that favours only massive military spending and a growing national security budget. Diplomacy is an essential element, too. That seems to have been forgotten by successive governments, along the way. As the nation navigates an increasingly complex strategic environment, it needs all the tools of statecraft available.
