Public comment sought on consular services

Media release

3 December 2013

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has invited the public to comment on the development of Australia's Consular Strategy for 2014-16.

A growing number of Australians are travelling overseas each year, and while most Australians are able to manage problems that arise, large numbers turn to the Australian Government for assistance.

The Government must consider ways to ensure that we are able to continue to provide high quality consular services within the resources available. To achieve this we must examine what type of services the Government is able to provide and the best, most cost-effective manner of providing them.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and our embassies offer a wide range of services to Australians overseas, but consular resources are finite. Australians travelling overseas should take appropriate measures to minimise the risks.

There should be a focus on helping travellers most in need, while encouraging those who can help themselves to do so; by taking out travel insurance, reading the travel advice at www.smartraveller.gov.au and registering travel plans in advance with DFAT.

How to have your say

Public submissions can be made to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

All submissions must be made in writing by 31 January 2014.

Submissions should address the questions identified in the Issues Paper at http://dfat.gov.au/dept/consular/ although comments are welcome on all relevant matters.

Please send your submission to:

Consular Strategy Team
Consular, Public Diplomacy and Parliamentary Affairs Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
RG Casey Building
BARTON ACT 0221

Or by email to: consularstrategy@dfat.gov.au

All submissions will be treated as public documents and made available on the Department's website. If you wish for your submission to be treated as confidential, in whole or in part, please note this in writing at the time of making your submission.

No personal information other than the name of the individual submitters will be disclosed.

For more information about Smartraveller and DFAT's consular role, please visit www.smartraveller.gov.au