Australia’s Overseas Representation—Punching below our weight?

Australia’s Overseas Representation—Punching below our weight?

October 2012

© Commonwealth of Australia 2012

ISBN 978-0-642-79808-4 (Printed version)
ISBN 978-0-642-79809-1 (HTML version)

View the report as a single document - (PDF 1.9MB)


View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Preliminary pages (PDF 350KB)
 
Chapter 1 Introduction (PDF 205KB)

Background to the inquiry
The Committee’s interest
Australia’s diplomatic footprint
Conduct of the inquiry

 
Chapter 2 Australia’s diplomatic footprint (PDF 546KB)

Introduction
Australia’s current footprint
Criteria for the location of diplomatic posts
Committee comment
Distribution of diplomatic posts
Criticisms of Australia’s footprint
Consequences of an inadequate diplomatic footprint
Benefits of a deeper engagement
Committee comment
Funding an expanded footprint
Closing diplomatic posts and reallocating resources
Taking funds from other portfolios and programs
User-pays
Committee comment
Specific proposals for expanding the footprint
Africa
Latin America
Europe
Middle East
Deepening the diplomatic footprint
Committee comment
Priority areas for overseas diplomacy
Committee comment

 
Chapter 3 Activities at overseas posts (PDF 429KB)

Introduction
Framework for managing overseas posts
Committee comment
Activities of overseas posts
Representation and liaison
Trade and investment promotion
Managing assistance programs
Managing entry into Australia
Assisting Australians overseas
Ability of overseas posts to undertake their tasks
Level of staffing and budget
Numbers of A-based staff overseas
Language proficiency of staff
Back-to-back posting of staff
Effect on separation rates and morale
Locally engaged staff
Conclusion

 
Chapter 4 E-diplomacy (PDF 477KB)

Introduction
Defining ‘e-diplomacy’
A new technological environment for diplomacy
Australia’s current e-diplomacy regime
Online public diplomacy
Knowledge management
Internal communication and global connectivity
Consular service delivery
Overseas voting in Australian elections
Disaster response
Future directions in e-diplomacy
The cost of e-diplomacy
E-diplomacy versus on-the-ground representation
Committee Comment

 
Appendix A – List of Submissions (PDF 54KB)
 
Appendix B – List of Exhibits (PDF 50KB)
 
Appendix C – Witnesses appearing at public hearings (PDF 130KB)