[Australia]: Message to Sweden [SEC=PROTECTED]

[Owen]

​

MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: PROTECTED (Encrypted)​

15 May 2000​

Dear Ambassador of Sweden to Australia, Due to the warming of relations between Australia and Sweden again, in part due to the Coalition war against Turkey, we have decided to re-instate Swedish citizens as being eligible for an Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) to come to Australia. This will not apply to those Swedish citizens who are resident of South Africa. The ETA allows the holder to visit Australia for unlimited times, up to 3 months per visit, in a 12-month period for tourism or business purposes. There is no visa application charge and applications must be lodged online or via an authorised travel agent. At the time of travel to, and entry into, Australia, all holders of an ETA must be free from tuberculosis and must not have any criminal convictions for which the sentence or sentences (whether served or not) total 12 months or more. Furthermore, all employees of the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat will be granted a Special Purpose Visa (essentially visa-exempt) to enter Macquarie Island. They will still need their passports and an Incoming Passenger Card along with written authorisation from the Tasmanian Director of National Parks and Wildlife. All Swedish citizens regardless of residency will be allowed to transit in Australia without a visa for up to 72 hours. Yours sincerely, Senator Penny Wong.

Parliament House, CANBERRA, ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 7700​

Protective Marking:	Business Impact Level:	Compromise of Information Confidentiality:	Required to be Encrypted:
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OFFICIAL	Low Business Impact	No or insignificant damage. This is the majority of routine information.
OFFICIAL: Sensitive	Low to Medium Business Impact	Limited damage to an individual, organisation or government generally if compromised.
PROTECTED	High Business Impact	Damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.
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TOP SECRET	Catastrophic Business Impact	Exceptionally grave damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.

 

[Owen]

Connor

 

[Connor]

Government of Sweden
Löfven Administration​

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Dear Senator Penny Wong,

Thank you for your recent correspondence in relation to the state of affairs between our great nations.

Throughout the War of the Middle East we have seen a growing strength in the Commonwealth of Australia that has undoubtedly had an impact on the efforts of the United Coalition whilst other, more predominant figures took a back seat and allowed their disputes to be settled for them. We remain disappointed by some aspects of the war but nonetheless we have seen substantial hope for the future of relations with many nations including Australia.

History between our nations has always been fruitful and through some troubling times cooperation has been high upon the agenda - something that was unfortunately halted due to a difference in political opinion which evidently remains today. I am saddened by the discrimination to those living within South Africa, though I remain hopeful that this blemish in your policy can soon be rectified in a diplomatic and dignified fashion.

This message has been forwarded onwards to the Department of Foreign Affairs alongside a memorandum from myself authorising changes to the International Travel Advisory.

Regards,
Henrik Cederin
Ambassador for Sweden to Australia
Bureau of Oceanian Affairs

Owen

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SECURE
Crown Copyright © Kingdom of Sweden
All information is subject to the Swedish Document Classification and Security Act 1995​

 

[Owen]

​

MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: PROTECTED (Encrypted)​

15 May 2000​

Dear Ambassador of Sweden to Australia, Access to the Electronic Travel Authority scheme is a privilege, not a right. Australia reserves the right to form an immigration policy that it sees fit. We will determine who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come. Unfortunately many factors in South Africa's stability and its overall development means that it is not an attractive place of origin to put on our scheme which gives greater freedom of movement into Australia without the intense scrutiny of the regular visa process. Mainland Sweden is different in many ways to South Afirca and we can trust Mainland Swedish citizens to not abuse the ETA privilege. Our immigration policy cannot and will not be influenced by foreign diplomatic efforts. We will maintain complete sovereignty on this matter. South African residents will be able to access the Transit Without A Visa scheme and will be included in receiving a Special Purpose Visa in order to visit Macquarie Island if they are employed by your Polar Research Secretariat. Yours sincerely, Senator Penny Wong.

Parliament House, CANBERRA, ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 7700​

Protective Marking:	Business Impact Level:	Compromise of Information Confidentiality:	Required to be Encrypted:
UNOFFICIAL	No Business Impact	No damage. This information does not form part of official duty.
OFFICIAL	Low Business Impact	No or insignificant damage. This is the majority of routine information.
OFFICIAL: Sensitive	Low to Medium Business Impact	Limited damage to an individual, organisation or government generally if compromised.
PROTECTED	High Business Impact	Damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.
SECRET	Extreme Business Impact	Serious damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.
TOP SECRET	Catastrophic Business Impact	Exceptionally grave damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.

Connor