The 1942 decision of the Curtin Government to legislate for the parliamentary ratification of the Statute of Westminster was a major step forward in Australia's ability to forge its own legal identity in the international arena.

The 1944 treaty signed by Australia and New Zealand was the first international treaty Australia entered into and proclaimed Australia's preparedness to put its own interests forward.

Securing Australia's ratification of the Bretton Woods Agreement on an International Monetary Fund was one of the most politically difficult but important achievements of the Curtin and Chifley Governments in preparing Australia for the post-war world of international trade and economics.

Australia played an active and important role in establishing the rights of small and middle powers within the United Nations to ensure their voice was represented on the executive authority.