Scott Morrison, by his own admission, has never been much of a foreign affairs buff.

As he reminded the high-powered guests at the annual Lowy lecture, which he delivered in Sydney on Thursday night, his instincts as a politician have been “domestic in nature… I am not one who naturally seeks out summits and international platforms”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison warns of "negative globalism" as he delivers the 2019 Lowy Institute lecture. Credit:AAP

That changes when you become Prime Minister. Protecting and promoting Australia’s interests abroad is one of the most critical and challenging tasks you face - a task generally approached with great care and forethought.

So it was all the more surprising to hear Morrison so blithely demonising in his Lowy address what he dubbed “negative globalism” driven by “an unaccountable internationalist bureaucracy”.