Additional comments by Government senators
Communication and access to information
Recommendation 1
1.1
Government
senators support the recommendation in principle, but do not specify the name
of a portal.
Policy formulation and coordination
Recommendation 2
1.2
Government
senators support the more effective coordination of policies relating to
Australian expatriates through the establishment of a small policy unit in the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Recommendation 3
1.3
Government
senators support recommendation 3.
Australian missions overseas
Recommendation 4
1.4
Government
senators acknowledge and commend the extensive engagement carried out by
Australian missions with expatriate Australians, illustrated in the submission
of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Government senators support
formalising that activity as recommended.
Recommendation 5
1.5
Government
senators support the development of a new online professional registration
facility, but recommend that it is established separately from the existing
on-line register of Australians overseas (ORAO).
Concerns regarding voting and citizenship
rights
Recommendation 6, 7 and 8
1.6
Government
senators support these matters being taken into consideration in any further
review of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948.
Recommendation 8
1.7
government senators support
this recommendation.
Recommendation 9
1.8
Government
senators support this recommendation.
Recommendation 10
1.9
Government
senators support the provision of useful citizenship advice and services to
expatriate Australians and note that many of the previous recommendations in
relation to online support will assist in this process.
Recommendation 11
1.10
Government
senators do not support this recommendation. Government senators support an
investigation of the potential level of use of such an initiative, and the cost
that would be associated with it before any decision is made to implement such
a telephone information line.
voting issues
Recommendation 12, 13 and 14
1.11
Government
senators support these recommendations
Engagement with expatriates
Recommendation 15
1.12
Government
senators support this recommendation.
Recommendation 16
1.13
Government senators
support this recommendation.
Senator Marise Payne
Liberal Party
Deputy Chair
Senator Nigel Scullion
Country Liberal Party