MasterCraft Series - Navigating Australia’s Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific
This Masterclass will provide APS professionals with a strategic overview of Australia’s foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific—an increasingly complex and contested region. Panelists will examine the shifting geopolitical landscape, including the rise of regional powers, evolving security dynamics, and the implications for Australia’s national interests. The session will offer insights into the strategic imperatives shaping Australia’s engagement in the region and our foreign policy settings more broadly.
Participants will hear about the modern tools of diplomacy and statecraft that underpin Australia’s international engagement and highlight practical approaches relevant to APS professionals. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how contemporary diplomatic tradecraft supports whole-of-government efforts to navigate regional challenges and advance Australia’s strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific.
Presenters
Graham Fletcher
Graham Fletcher is a former public servant who was Australia's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China from 2019 to 2023.
His final government role was as Deputy Secretary (International and Security) in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, where he dealt with national security, defence, intelligence and foreign policy issues, retiring in August 2025.
Prior to this appointment, Graham's career was spent in DFAT, where he focused mainly on China and the South Pacific. He was posted on four occasions to the Australian embassy in Beijing, and also served in Washington (2011-13) and Noumea.
In Canberra, his main responsibilities were: policy towards China, Japan and Korea; the China-Australia FTA; and the South Pacific.
Graham was raised in Sydney and studied history at the University of Sydney.
Charlotte Blundell
Charlotte Blundell is one of six First Assistant Secretaries in the Office of the Pacific, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She leads the Pacific Economic and Infrastructure Division, with responsibility for a wide range of policy and investment programs in the Pacific across infrastructure, trade, media, banking, budget support, social protection, sports and aviation.
She previously represented Australia as the Deputy Trade Negotiator during negotiation of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and led the Indo-Pacific Economic and Supply Chain Branch in DFAT’s Trade and Investment Group. Charlotte served as the Head of the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific for three years until early 2024. Charlotte has worked for close to three decades in senior roles in DFAT and AusAID, and across the Indo-Pacific region. She has worked extensively with Ministers, Boards and a wide variety of government and non-government stakeholders at all levels, in a variety of cultural and international contexts, including postings to Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea.
She is a creative strategist and partnership builder who is passionate about leading teams to design and deliver practical responses to complex policy problems. In 2020, she received the DFAT Secretary’s Australia Day Award for leadership. Charlotte has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from Deakin University (1997) and Master of Environmental Management and Development from the Australian National University (2002).
Facilitator
Anthony Dusan, APSC
Participant benefits
Deeper understanding of the Indo-Pacific geostrategic environment.
Enhanced knowledge of Australia’s foreign policy settings in the region and the tools of diplomacy and statecraft used to advance our national interests.
Suitable for
All staff.
Category and User level
This learning experience aligns with the Strategy, Policy and Evaluation Craft at the Foundation level.
Price
Free of charge.