[Australia]: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Media Centre

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Overview​

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is the department of the Australian federal government responsible for foreign policy and relations, international aid (using the branding Australian Aid), consular services and trade and investment (including trade and investment promotion Austrade). The functions of the department are broadly classified into the following matters as laid out in an Administrative Arrangements Order: External Affairs, including: relations and communications with overseas governments and United Nations agencies treaties, including trade agreements bilateral, regional and multilateral trade policy international trade and commodity negotiations market development, including market access trade and international business development investment promotion international development co-operation diplomatic and consular missions international security issues, including disarmament, arms control and nuclear non-proliferation public diplomacy, including information and cultural programs International expositions Provision to Australian citizens of secure travel identification Provision of consular services to Australian citizens abroad Overseas property management, including acquisition, ownership and disposal of real property Tourism industry (international) International development and aid Development and co-ordination of international climate change policy International climate change negotiations

 

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NEW CONSULATE-GENERALS FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM​

16 January 2001

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has today announced that it will be opening 3 new Consulate-Generals in the United Kingdom to faciliate the expanding United Kingdom-Australia relationship. These Consulate-Generals will be located in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff in order to faciliate Australia's relationship with all other nations of the United Kingdom, with the High Commission in London being responsible for England. This will be in addition to the Consulate located in Manchester.

 

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LAUNCH OF THE CABLE CONNECTIVITY AND RESILIENCE CENTRE​

20 November 2004

Today, Australia is launching a new Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre, to help ensure undersea cable networks in the Indo-Pacific are resilient and all countries can benefit from reliable connectivity and the growth of the digital economy. This work is integral to the prosperity and security of our region. From emails to e-commerce, accessing news, social media and streaming content, we rely on a vast network of undersea cables, which carry over 95 per cent of international data traffic. Australia will invest more than $18 million over the next four years in the Centre, which will draw on our extensive undersea telecommunications cables expertise and experience to: Provide technical assistance and training across the Indo-Pacific. Commission research and analysis to support Indo-Pacific governments with policy development, regulations and decision-making regarding undersea cables. Share information and host dialogues to strengthen engagement between Indo-Pacific governments and industry. The Centre is a whole of Australian Government initiative, embedded within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

 

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AGENTS-GENERAL TO LONDON APPOINTED​

1 January 2005

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade announces that starting today, the first day of the new year, Agents-General for all Australian states have been appointed by their respective state governments to serve in London on behalf of their respective state governments. This was done after a request was made by the federal government for the states to appoint people to these roles for 2005. The role of Agent-General has been around since the mid-1800s to represent various Australian colonies in London. Today the role is traditionally appointed under a state government's trade department. They represent state government interests in London and are based within the Australian High Commission. Those appointed are listed below: Agent-General for New South Wales: Ron Dyer Agent-General for Victoria: Sally Capp Agent-General for Queensland: John Dawson Agent-General for Western Australia: Dr. Kerry Sanderson Agent-General for South Australia: Maurice de Rohan Agent-General for Tasmania: Ken Bacon

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