Rudd vows active foreign policies

Australia will play a more activist role in world affairs as it seeks to boost its middle-power influence, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said yesterday ahead of a major overseas trip.

In his first foreign policy speech since his center-left Labor Party won power last November, Rudd said Australia's economic and security interests relied upon the country being more engaged with allies, regional forums and the United Nations.

"The truth is Australia's voice has been too quiet for too long," Rudd said in a speech to an East Asia forum.