This blog is managed for Australia 21 by Paul Barratt, one of its foundation directors and now its chairman.





Paul Barratt has had over forty years’ experience of policy advising and international negotiations in the areas of defence, foreign relations, international trade and climate change. After completing an honours degree in physics he joined the Department of Defence as a scientific intelligence analyst. He undertook an intensive course at the Australian School of Nuclear Science and Engineering and completed a second degree, in economics and Asian Civilisations. He has been Secretary to the Department of Defence, Secretary to the Federal Department responsible for mining, oil & gas, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Deputy Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Department and of the Trade Department, Special Trade Representative for North Asia, and Executive Director of Australia’s leading business roundtable. He is now an independent consultant.