As Prime Minister Scott Morrison marks one year in the top job on Saturday, he heads to France as an observer of the meeting between leaders of the Group of Seven nations.
While he doesn't have a seat at the G7 table, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will attend the three-day summit in as an observer alongside the Indian, Chilean and South African leaders.
"Australia's participation is an opportunity to share our Indo-Pacific perspective with the world's leading democracies," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra this week.
Why is Australia going?
The G7 comprises of France, Germany, Britain, Italy, the United States, Canada and Japan and its meetings are known for awkward photo-ops and tense handshakes between leaders.
But Mr Morrison's invitation to the G7 summit is significant, according to one international relations expert.
"Australia prides itself on punching above our weight in those kinds of international forums, especially as we've played a big role in the G20," RMIT University's Emma Shortis told SBS News.
The official invite may have come from French President Emmanuel Macron, but Dr Shortis said it's a sign of the importance of Australia's relationship with the United States, especially as tensions flare over the trade war with China.
