9 February 2026

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Insights on Politics & Diplomacy in a Changing World

The Britain-Australia Society was honoured to host a fascinating conversation at Australia House with The Honourable Alexander Downer AC, former Australian Foreign Minister and High Commissioner to the UK, alongside Australia’s new High Commissioner, His Excellency the Honourable Jay Weatherill AO.

Drawing on stories from Tony Parkinson’s biography “Alexander Downer: Step to the Right”, Alexander, in conversation with Damian Walsh, Chair of the Britain-Australia Society, reflected on:

• The intergenerational Downer family contribution to Australian politics and diplomacy

• A candid discussion of Israel, the Middle East, and rising antisemitism, including the impact of recent events on social cohesion in Australia and the responsibility of political and community leaders to counter hatred and division

• His journey from DFAT diplomat in Brussels to Leader of the Opposition and then Australia’s longest-serving Foreign Minister under Prime Minister John Howard

• The transformation of UK–Australia relations, from Britain’s entry into the European Union when his father was High Commissioner, to Brexit and the negotiation of the modern UK–Australia Free Trade Agreement

• The rebuilding of Australia–Indonesia relations through East Timor’s independence, cooperation after the Bali bombings, the response to the 2004 tsunami, and the Lombok defence and security treaty

• The depth and complexity of the Australia–US alliance, including invoking ANZUS after 9/11, cooperation in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the importance of alliances being a two-way street

 

We also heard memorable behind-the-scenes anecdotes involving President George W. Bush and Condoleezza Rice, and the early formation of what is now known as the Quad (Australia, the US, Japan and India).

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Events like this underline the enduring importance of the Britain–Australia relationship, our shared democratic values, and the need for steady, experienced leadership in an increasingly uncertain world.

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This event was recorded and edited by Andrew Grill, who sits on the board of the Britain-Australia Society.

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