DFAT’s Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda: Symbolic Commitment or Genuine Change?

Despite the Australian Government’s clear public commitment through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda – aimed explicitly at promoting Indigenous opportunities, engagement and sustainable development globally – no Indigenous-owned or Indigenous-focused initiatives (that I could see) were selected for funding in the recent Maitri Grants round.

According to DFAT’s official Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda, Australia aims to “coordinate foreign, trade, economic and development policy to influence mainstream international policy” while explicitly promising to “grow the Australian and global economy through the promotion of Indigenous commerce and investment”.

The Maitri Grants (managed by DFAT’s Centre for Australia-India Relations) are designed to deepen bilateral relationships across culture, business, education and research… but yet, a detailed review of the recipients reveals no Indigenous-focused projects have received support, prompting questions about the department’s actual implementation of its stated policy goals.

Official DFAT statements maintain a commitment to “ensure Indigenous peoples are benefiting from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” Yet this promise contrasts sharply with the absence of Indigenous projects in the latest funding announcement.

This contrast between official commitments and practical funding decisions raises essential questions around transparency, accountability and the authenticity of Australia’s global Indigenous advocacy.