Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has today been embarrassed by her own Department, with DFAT officials publicly repudiating her claims the Government is working on a landmark Foreign Policy White Paper.
In August this year Minister Bishop was unequivocal, insisting she would deliver Australias first formal White Paper in 13 years.
"This will be a government-generated document, it will go to cabinet."
Fairfax Media, 19 August 2016
The following day, Minister Bishop retweeted Good news that @JulieBishopMP has commissioned a new foreign affairs white paper.
But DFAT officials today repudiated the Minister, telling Senate Estimates NO decision has yet been made to produce a White Paper.
WONG: I think your evidence is Government hasnt decided whether it will be a white paper or will be something else.
ADAMSON: I think that is still an open question, yes.
Senate Estimates, 20 October 2016
The Foreign Ministers pronouncements have caused considerable confusion.
The Minister needs to immediately clarify whether her promises to deliver a White paper are still accurate or has the Governments position now changed, and if so, why?