Appendix A – The Inquiry

1.1                   The inquiry into the allocation of land to diplomatic missions in the Australian Capital Territory was referred to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories by the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Simon Crean MP, in November 2012.

1.2                   The inquiry was advertised in the Canberra Times and the Australian, and letters advising of the inquiry and inviting submissions were sent to the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Attorney-General, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Chief Minister of the ACT, the Australian Federal Police and the National Capital Authority. The diplomatic corps was also informed of the inquiry through the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, His Excellency Mr Pedro Villagra Delgado, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic.

1.3                   During the inquiry, the Committee received 18 submissions and several supplementary submissions. Submissions received are listed at Appendix B.

1.4                   The Committee held two public hearings. A list of organisations and individuals who gave evidence before the Committee is at Appendix C.

1.5                   Submissions and transcripts of evidence are available from the Committee website.