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Budget 2009–10: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Nina Markovic
In contrast to the last financial year, the Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has received an increase in funding for
2009–10. Total net resourcing available to the DFAT portfolio in the 2009–10 Budget
is $1.99 billion.[1] This represents an increase of $409.2 million or 25.8 per cent from the actual
available net resourcing for DFAT in 2008–09.
The departmental estimate for 2009–10 shows an increase of $299.1
million or 33.5 per cent—compared with the actual available appropriation for
2008–09. However, this estimate includes $215.44 million that was appropriated
in 2008–09 and carried forward, as well as an increase of $88.8 million.
One of the new measures in the 2009–10 Budget comprises additional
resourcing of
$9.7 million over two years (including $1.1 million in capital funding in
2009–10) towards the Department’s anti-smuggling activities. This measure
includes the establishment of new diplomatic positions in Australia’s embassies
in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.[2] In addition the 2009–10 Budget allocated $106.5 million over four years for strengthening
the Department’s contribution to national
security which includes funding for additional staff and resources at a
number of overseas posts and in Canberra.[3]
The Government has allocated $11.2 million over two years in
advance preparation for Australia’s bid for a non-permanent two-year seat on the UN Security Council in
2013–14.[4] The Budget also provides $106 million for the strengthening of Australia’s
diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Africa and Latin
America. The Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, has focused on the
African and Latin American component of this measure suggesting that it is
connected to Australia’s bid for a UN Security Council seat.[5] She has criticised the Budget on the grounds that it focuses too much on winning
the UN Security Council seat, instead of keeping its focus predominantly on the
Asia Pacific region.
Changes in departmental outcomes and staffing numbers
Following a review announced in the 2008–09
Budget, DFAT’s departmental outcomes have been streamlined from four into
three in the 2009–10 Budget.[6]
A revised outcome one for the Department comprises
‘the advancement of Australia’s international strategic, security and economic
interests’ through a range of bilateral, multilateral and regional engagement
measures.[7] Public information services and public diplomacy have been combined to form program
1.3 under outcome one, and funded with $60.21 million in 2009–10.[8] This amount includes funding for the Australia Network as well as the International
Relations Grants Program, but excludes funding for the Shanghai World Expo
2010, which is funded through other accounts.[9]
The Budget predicts that in
2009–10, the staffing levels for outcome one will be increased by 62.[10] The estimated expenses regarding
payments to international organisations will increase by about 13 per cent,
from an estimated $292.6 million in 2008–09 to an estimated $330.7 million
in 2009–10.[11] The revised outcome one in the 2009–10 Budget also provides a definition of Australia’s
national interests, which includes promoting ‘international strategic, security
and economic interests’ as the central objective of Australian diplomacy.
Outcome two comprises ‘the protection and welfare of Australians
abroad and access to secure international travel documentation’ through the
Department’s travel advice and consular and passport services.[12] Under outcome two, the Government has separated consular
and passport services into two programs. In departmental expenses the Budget allocated
$81.01 million to the consular services
program in 2009–10, and $187.65 million to the
passport services program—an increase of $5.1 million for the latter.[13] The staffing levels for this outcome have essentially remained constant, with one
less staff member envisaged in 2009–10.
Outcome three—formerly outcome four—was revised to
include, apart from the ‘efficient management of the Commonwealth overseas
owned estate’, an element of national security. It also includes ‘a secure
Australian Government presence overseas’ through a range of measures.[14] The Budget for 2009–10 provided additional capital funding of $87.5 million
over five years and $269.5 million over six years for enhanced security
arrangements at the Australian embassies in Bangkok and Jakarta, respectively.[15] The Government also allocated $3 million in departmental expenses for 2009–10
towards a feasibility study and planning work for a more secure Australian
embassy in Kabul. The staffing levels have, correspondingly, increased by 41
for this outcome.
DFAT’s total staffing levels will increase by 102, from an
estimated 3461 to an estimated 3563 in 2009–10.[16] It is likely that DFAT will open new positions in Canberra and overseas during
2009–10.
Middle East
With Australia’s planned withdrawal of combat troops from
Iraq in July 2009, the Government’s focus is now on Afghanistan with
$4.1 million being allocated towards increased non-military assistance for
Afghanistan.[17] This is in line with recent analysis that supports the need for more funding
for diplomatic initiatives and public diplomacy in the Middle East due to this
region’s relevance to Australia’s long-term security interests and to counter
people smugglers. This case was recently put in a detailed study commissioned
by the Lowy Institute for International Policy—the Blue Ribbon Panel Report.[18]
Other funding initiatives
In line with the Government’s priorities, the 2009–10 Budget
also announced the following funding initiatives for DFAT:
- $28.1 million from 2010–11 for counter-terrorism
activities, predominantly in Southeast Asia[19]
- $54.21 million over four years, including $18.7 million in
capital funding, to enhance security at Australian diplomatic and consular
overseas missions—in particular, in Thailand and Indonesia[20]
- $9.2 million over two years for the International Commission on
Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament—which is expected to complete its
work in 2010, when the universal Non-Proliferation
Treaty Review Conference will take place,[21] and
- $9.7 million over two years, including $1.1 million in capital
funding, towards the implementation of the whole-of-government approach to
people smuggling. This measure includes funding for a full-time Ambassador for
People Smuggling Issues, continued funding for the Bali Process, and funding
for the establishment of new positions in Jakarta, Colombo, Islamabad and Kuala
Lumpur to increase engagement with those countries which serve as a transit point
for people smugglers.[22]
For more specific measures on people smuggling see the
‘Immigration’ section of this Budget Review.
[1]. Australian Government, Portfolio budget statements 2009–10: budget related paper no. 1.9: Foreign
Affairs and Trade Portfolio, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, 2009, pp.
16–17, viewed 13 May 2009, http://www.dfat.gov.au/dept/budget/2009_2010_pbs/2009-10_DFAT.pdf
[2]. Australian Government, Budget measures: budget paper no. 2: 2009–10, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, 2009, viewed
13 May 2009, http://www.budget.gov.au/2009-10/content/bp2/html/bp2_expense-15.htm
[3]. S Smith (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Foreign
Affairs and Trade Portfolio - budget 2009–10, media release, 12 May 2009,
viewed 13 May 2009, http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090512_budget1.html
[4]. Australian Government, Australia: United
Nations Security Council Candidate 2013–14, Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade, viewed 15 May 2009, http://www.dfat.gov.au/un/unga.html Another measure for 2009–10 includes a continued funding
for Australia’s ‘Asia Pacific Community’ proposal—which is intended to draw all
major players from the Asia Pacific region into a broadly encompassing dialogue
on regional issues.
[5]. J Bishop (Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs), Taxpayer
funds wasted in pursuit of temporary seat on UN Security Council, media
release, 15 May 2009, viewed 18 May 2009, http://www.liberal.org.au/news.php?Id=3121
[6]. Portfolio budget statements
2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade
Portfolio, p. 18.
[7]. Portfolio budget statements 2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio, p. 5.
[8]. Portfolio budget statements
2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade
Portfolio, p. 34.
[9]. Portfolio budget statements
2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade
Portfolio, p. 23.
[10]. Portfolio budget statements
2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade
Portfolio, p. 26.
[11]. Portfolio budget statements
2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade
Portfolio, p. 26.
[12]. Portfolio budget statements 2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio, p. 5.
[13]. Portfolio budget statements
2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade
Portfolio, p. 39.
[14]. Portfolio budget statements 2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio, p. 5.
[15]. Portfolio budget statements
2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade
Portfolio, p. 19.
[16]. Portfolio budget statements
2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade
Portfolio, pp. 26, 39, 46.
[17]. Portfolio budget statements
2009–10, Foreign Affairs and Trade
Portfolio, p. 21.
[18]. A Gyngell, ‘Rudd erodes diplomacy’, The Australian, 18 March 2009, p. 14, viewed 14 May 2009, http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=997 Blue Ribbon Panel Report, ‘Australia’s diplomatic
deficit. Reinvesting in our instruments of international policy’, Lowy
Institute for International Policy, March 2009, viewed 14 May 2009, http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=998
[19]. M Dodd, ‘Increased visa fees to fund embassy
makeovers’, The Australian, 13 May 2009, p. 10; Budget
measures: budget paper no. 2: 2009–10, p. 257
[20]. Budget measures: budget paper no. 2: 2009–10, p. 265.
[21]. Budget measures: budget paper no. 2: 2009–10, p. 258. United Nations, ‘Preparatory Committee for the
2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference’, viewed
15 May 2009, http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Nuclear/NPT2010Prepcom/PrepCom2009/index.html
[22]. Budget measures: budget paper no. 2: 2009–10, p. 254.
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