French-Australian Relations in the Pacific during Bill Hayden’s Term as Minister for Foreign Affairs 1983–1988

Author: IVAN BARKO
Explorations No 34 (Jun 2003): 13-17
https://doi.org/10.62586/FUHS7317

This paper gives an account of the fluctuations of French-Australian relations during Bill Hayden’s term as Minister for Foreign Affairs. The 1980s were a period of ostensible conflict between France and Australia, the result of disagreements on nuclear policy in the Pacific and decolonisation in New Caledonia. Drawing on personal recollections and retrospective assessments by Bill Hayden and unpublished material specially released by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, the investigation challenges certain idées reçues.

Keywords: Bill Hayden, Minister for Foreign Affairs, New Caledonia, decolonisation, French-Australian relations, nuclear testing, Rainbow Warrior