[Australia]: Message to Canada [SEC=SECRET]

[Owen]

​

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: SECRET ​

10 November 2005

Dear Minister of Foreign Affairs, I am currently in the United Kingdom on the biannual AUKMIN summit. I can say that both myself and our United Kingdom counterparts are happy to hear that Canada has re-embraced Queen Elizabeth the Second as their monarch. The situation in Canada, for too long, has been one marred by instability and a resurgent Republicanist movement. Various forces such as fascists and communists have attempted to gain political dominance in Canada for nearly a decade now. As Australia has always maintained a link to The Crown, we see stability and the same situation in Canada as paramount to our foreign policy objectives. We will commit a lot of resources and effort to ensure there is a long-term peace and stability in Canada. The relationship between Australia and Canada is one of the oldest and most valuable to Australia. In both of our nations, opinion polls have shown that Australia has been perceived the most positively by Canadians and Canada has been perceived the most positively by Australians, sometimes only ranking just behind New Zealand. This relationship is described by many as "cousins", due to the links to the British Crown. Many have described us as being the most similar with large swaths of inhospitable land, large agricultural and mining sectors, access to two oceans, a heavily urbanised population, two very powerful subdivisions in competition with each other, similar governance structure and similar social and economic policies. I would like it if on my return back from the United Kingdom that I take the long route home, via Canada, to visit yourself in Ottawa and to discuss further how we can enhance our bilateral relationship. Yours sincerely, Kevin Rudd.

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.

Nathan

 

[Nathan]

From: Elliot Rosseau Minister of Foreign Affairs

To: Kevin Rudd Owen

Classification: Top Secret Encrypted​

Dear Minister Rudd, It would be my honour to host a visit to Canada by yourself. We are strongly seeking to reinforce Canada's link to the Commonwealth, and to return Canada from the heinous acts of the previous government. Please arrive at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport where I will be waiting with a security team from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. We will host a working lunch a Parliament Hill to discuss key issues in resetting our relations Look forward to hearing back from you. Yours Sincerely, Elliot Rosseau

 

[Owen]

The RAAF Boeing 737BBJ which had been transporting the Ministers to the United Kingdom would depart from London-Heathrow towards Ottawa across the Atlantic. Once it was within range of the Labrador coast, they would alert CFB Goose Bay that the Royal Australian Air Force aircraft was now in Canadian airspace with the callsign ENVOY06. Once it finished flying across Quebec it would come in for an approach into Ottawa's main airport on the south side of the city. Australia's High Commissioner to Canada, Louise Hand, would be at the airport to greet the Minister. The Minister would be staying at Australia House while in Ottawa, the High Commissioner's official residence, considered one of the crowning jewels of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's international property portfolio having been purchased in 1940.

​

The High Commission would organise a motorcade for the Minister and would accept the security of the RCMP. Once the aircraft had landed, the Minister would shake hands with Minister Rosseau and the High Commissioner before being taken to Parliament for a working lunch.

"Minister Rosseau, it is a pleasure to meet you....

I forgot we are heading into December and I should have maybe dressed a bit more appropriately. Hopefully these meetings don't go too long so I can get back to the Australian summer. It feels like I've been in the UK for a year!"

Nathan

 

[Nathan]

Elliot Rosseu would shake the Minister's hand firmly;

"Welcome to Canada, Minister. I must say we would firmly prefer your weather than ours at the moment!"

The Ministers would make the short journey from the airport to Parliament Hill. The Minister engaging in small conversation during their trip. The RCMP would provide an escort, patrol cars and motorbikes in the convoy. With motorbike outriders leapfrogging ahead to close off junctions, allowing the convoy to sweep through the downtown traffic with ease.

Parliament hill was covered in snowfall, crews had managed to protect the roads leading up to the hill from becoming impassable. The remainder of the ground was covered in perfect white. As the Ministers reached the centre block building, the white was contrasted with the red and block of the Royal 22e Regiment's band. The soldiers played a melody of O Canada, Advance Australia fair and a rousing cover of Waltzing Matilda. As the convoy pulled outside of the main entrance, a press opportunity was arranged with 6 RCMP officers in their infamous red outfits providing a backdrop against the centre block

"Welcome to Parliament Hill Minister, may we just allow the press to gain a few photographs?"

If accepted, the Minister would take a position between the RCMP officers with the Australian minister;
Owen

 

[Owen]

Minister Rudd would smile as the band played Waltzing Matilda, not expecting that at all. He was quite impressed by the performance of the Royal 22e Regiment's band and had not quite got a warm reception like that in a while from the numerous countries he has vsited.

"Yes certainly." He would stand there shaking the Ministers hand as the press took photographs.

​

Nathan

 

[Nathan]

With the press pool requests for photographs sustained, Minister Rosseau would lead the Minister into one of the central blocks meeting rooms. Set up in a board room style, a large table would be filled with a continental breakfast, hot and cold drinks and a selection of savoury items. Small national flags would divide the table into the respective sides, Minister Rosseau would offer the Minister a seat. There would be plenty of seats for any additional members of the delegation at the table.

"Welcome Minister Rudd, please help yourself. This is Kate Vandenbeld who is the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs and will be taking minutes from our meeting"

As the three sat down, the Canadian's would begin to pick up items onto plates.

"Thank you for coming to visit us. Is there a particular topic which you would like to start with?"

In the background, John Harringtons' speech on the London attacks would be showing on the Parliamentary channel, muted.

Owen

 

[Owen]

"Well can I just begin by saying we are absolutely shocked and appalled by what has occurred in London. Needless to say, we got out of their in the nick of time. Australia has maintained strong relations with the United Kingdom and our connection to the British monarchy has endured. This is primarily why I have come today. Canada has... for some years, been in a bit of turmoil. It has got rid of the monarchy more times than I can count. We want to see a Canada moving forward now with long-term sustainability and solid in its commitment to the monarchy. These are the ties that bond us. The monarchy has an equal status in Australia as it does in the United Kingdom so it is equally our duty to represent it abroad.

Making sure that Canada is sustainable for the long-term doesn't mean just improved relations with the Commonwealth such as Australia and the United Kingdom, but also the United States, whom we consider an extremely important partner as well. We hope that you are reaching out to the United States administration.

The recent attacks in London highlight where we can cooperate deeply, in defence and security. Including in intelligence sharing an military to military links such as regimental alliances. Our shared ocean... the Pacific.. also opens up many opportunities for economic cooperation and trade. I know when there are shortages in the Australian grains industry due to factors such as climate, buyers will usually source out to reliable Canadian grains. There are plenty of niche areas for economic cooperation. We want to see Canada play a more proactive role in the Pacific and we hope the Royal Canadian Navy is not forgetting about its Pacific Fleet in Esquimalt. Our high levels of tourism between our two nations means we should be seriously considering reciprocal health care and social security arrangements and looking at our visa arrangements.

One particular niche area of cooperation we want to seek just with Canada is the idea of consular services sharing. Australia has been seeking a partner for consular services sharing for a while. The United States and the United Kingdom has an extensive network of consular services, so no real benefit from Australia for them. New Zealand has a limited network of consular services, so no real benefit to Australia. Canada and Australia being so similar, in size and influence, being English-speaking nations, sharing the monarchy, makes the ideal partner. It also makes the ideal partner because Canada operates more extensively in the areas that Australia does not, such as the Americas and Africa. And Australia operates more extensively in Asia and the Pacific, where Canada doesn't. Essentially what this will mean is that in certain areas where Australia does not have a diplomatic mission, Australians can seek assistance from a Canadian diplomatic mission and vice versa. This will be scheduled in a particular list of diplomatic missions."

Nathan

 

[Nathan]

The Minister would furiously scribble down notes, trying to keep up with the torrent of good ideas from his counterpart;

"For sure, the previous governments have been a source of embarrassment for the Canadian people. We have an illegitimate King coup his way into power, a situation we never thought possible in our country. Going forward, we have returned to the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, and the RCMP are building a case against the conspirators for treason.

We are indeed looking towards the Pacific region. We are investing a large portion of defence spending into Military assets in the region, which will include the formation of the Marine Commando Regiment, to take primary responsibility for the region. Going forward, Canada will return to what it does best, peacekeeping operations. We would be open to creating a shared intelligence agreement?

The one thing we would like to discuss, is the potential to open up a desert training base within Australia. Canada has no desert ourselves, so our training in this key area is lacking. We would like to rent a base, and base a training cadre team within Australia on a permanent basis.

We can agree to reciprocal health care and social security arrangements. We are open to a visa free travel area and Consular sharing dependent on the the treaty put before us.

Owen

 

[Owen]

"Interesting proposal about a desert training base, Minister. We actually... don't have.. any? Desert training bases in Australia. We certainly have training bases which are in more arid environments, but as you can suspect training in the desert is not..... advisable. Soldiers can dehydrate quite quickly. There is the Cultana Military Training Area in South Australia which is in a semi-arid region. We do have a complex of training areas in the north of Australia called the North Australian Range, stretching from Western Australia to Queensland through the Northern Territory. This provides more tropical, subtropical and savannah type environments to train in. But yes, almost all of Australia's military facilities are in coastal areas or north of the Tropic of Capricorn in that savannah and tropical region. The only real military base which is in the outback is the RAAF Woomera Range Complex which takes in almost all of outback South Australia in its area and it is primarily reserved for weapons testing and nothing else. We could have a look at available land in Woomera, but I will need to consult with the Department for Defence. It's either that or Cultana comes the closest, but again only semi-arid and not full desert.

As for those agreements, I will let my assistant here know to get draft agreements faxed over from Canberra shortly. I must stress, we are not looking for a visa free travel area. That is a privilege Australia only affords to New Zealand, but besides from that Australia has a universal visa policy. Canadian citizens are on the Electronic Travel Authorisation list and have that no cost option to visit Australia and be granted a tourist visa quickly and online. We would just like some sort of reciprocality from Canada for Australian citizens to visit Canada with the same ability."

Nathan

 

[Nathan]

"forgive me, a badly worded phrase. We are looking for a hot climate training base, somewhere for troops to acclimatise and get used to fighting in hotter temperatures - as I'm sure you can see in Canada our weather is seasonal and never really gets up to those temperatures that may be seen in conflict zones. The North Australian Range sounds like it may meet our needs.

An interesting proposal, do you have a treaty drafted for the ETA list?"

Owen

 

[Owen]

"The North Australian Range is a complex of different training facilities. Would you perhaps be looking at basing your troops in a centralised location and then transporting out to use the various facilities? We definitely have room to house troops at Robertson Barracks in Darwin.

The ETA is a policy of the government, it's not treaty-bound. Canadian citizens are on the ETA list, this has been the policy for a while now. We're just simply asking if Canada could reciprocate some sort of visa-free/ETA arrangement for Australian citizens so they're not required to apply for a full tourist visa in order to visit Canada.

I have those treaties now faxed over to me by the way. I did make a mistake though. I've been told it's not possible to sign a reciprocal health care agreement with Canada because of the way that the system is in Canada being not a federal program but instead 13 different provincial and territorial programs. That's okay though.

Highlighted in yellow is the areas requiring signature from Canada." He would grab them from his assistant and pass them over.

Agreement on Social Security Between the Government of Australia and the Government of Canada

AGREEMENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA​

THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA, WISHING to strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries, and ACKNOWLEDGING the need to reflect, by means of a consolidated document, HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

PART 1 - INTERPRETATION AND SCOPE​

Article 1 Interpretation​

1. In this Agreement: "benefit" means, in relation to a Party, a benefit, pension or allowance for which provision is made in the legislation of that Party, and includes any additional amount, increase or supplement that is payable, in addition to that benefit, pension or allowance, to or in respect of a person who qualifies for that additional amount, increase or supplement under the legislation of that Party; "Canadian creditable period" means a period, or the total of two or more periods, of residence or contributions which has been or can be used to acquire the right to a Canadian benefit, but does not include any period considered under paragraph 2 of Article 9 as a Canadian creditable period; "carer payment" means a carer payment payable under the legislation of Australia to the partner of a person in receipt of an Australian pension; "competent authority" means, in relation to Australia, the Secretary to the Department of Family and Community Services and, in relation to Canada, the Minister of Human Resources Development; "competent institution" means, in relation to Australia, the institution responsible for the administration of the legislation of Australia and, in relation to Canada, the competent authority; "disability support pension" means a disability support pension payable under the legislation of Australia to a person who is severely disabled; "legislation" means, in relation to a Party, the laws specified in Article 2 in relation to that Party; "partner" when used in relation to the grant, payment or calculation of rate of an Australian benefit, means partner as defined in the legislation of Australia. "period of Australian working life residence" means, in relation to a person, a period defined as such in the legislation of Australia, but does not include any period deemed pursuant to Article 6 to be a period in which that person was an Australian resident; "social security laws" means: (i) in relation to Australia, the Acts forming the social security law, including regulations made thereunder, as amended; and​ ​ (ii) in relation to Canada, the laws specified in subparagraph 1(b) of Article 2;​ "widowed person" means, in relation to Australia, a person who stops being a partnered person because of the death of the person's partner, but does not include a person who has a new partner. 2. In the application by a Party of this Agreement to a person, any term not defined in this Article shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning assigned to it in the social security laws of either Party or, in the event of a conflict of meaning, by whichever of those laws is the more applicable to the circumstances of that person.

Article 2 Legislative scope​

1. Subject to paragraph 2, this Agreement shall apply to the following laws, as amended at the date of signature of this Agreement, and to any laws that subsequently amend, supplement or replace them: (a) in relation to Australia, the Acts and regulations forming the social security law to the extent they provide for and apply to:​ ​ (i) age pensions;​ ​ (ii) disability support pensions;​ ​ (iii) carer payments;​ ​ (iv) pensions payable to widowed persons; and​ ​ (v) additional child amount payable to persons in receipt of the above benefits; and​ ​ (b) in relation to Canada:​ ​ (i) the Old Age Security Act and the regulations made thereunder; and​ ​ (ii) the Canada Pension Plan and the regulations made thereunder.​ 2. In relation to Australia, the legislation to which this Agreement applies shall not include any laws made, whether before or after the date of signature of this Agreement, for the purpose of giving effect to any agreement on social security. 3. This Agreement shall apply to laws of a Party which extend the existing legislation of that Party to new categories of beneficiaries unless the competent authority of that Party communicates in writing an objection in regard to those laws to the competent authority of the other Party within 60 days of the date on which those laws receive Royal Assent. 4. Where, under the legislation of Australia, a new category of beneficiaries has arisen as described in paragraph 3, no qualification for benefits in that category shall exist until the expiration of the period set out in that paragraph.

Article 3 Personal scope​

This Agreement shall apply to any person who: (a) is or has been an Australian resident; or​ ​ (b) is residing or has resided in Canada within the meaning of the Old Age Security Act or is making or has made contributions pursuant to the Canada Pension Plan​ and, where applicable, to any partner, spouse, common-law partner, dependent or survivor of such a person.

Article 4 Equality of treatment​

Subject to this Agreement, all persons to whom this Agreement applies shall be treated equally by a Party in regard to rights and obligations which arise whether directly under the legislation of that Party or by virtue of this Agreement.

PART II - PROVISIONS RELATING TO AUSTRALIAN BENEFITS​

Article 5 Residence or presence in Canada or a third State​

1. Where a person would be qualified under the legislation of Australia or by virtue of this Agreement for a benefit except that he or she is not an Australian resident and in Australia on the date on which he or she lodges a claim for that benefit but he or she: (a) is an Australian resident or residing in Canada or a third State with which Australia has concluded an agreement on social security that includes provision for co-operation in the assessment and determination of claims for benefits; and​ ​ (b) is in Australia, Canada or that third State​ that person shall be deemed, for the purposes of lodging that claim, to be an Australian resident and in Australia on that date. 2. Paragraph 1 shall not apply to a claimant for a benefit who has never been an Australian resident.

Article 6 Totalisation for Australian benefits​

1. Where a person to whom this Agreement applies has claimed an Australian benefit under this Agreement and has accumulated: (a) a period as an Australian resident that is less than the period required to qualify that person, on that ground, for a benefit under the legislation of Australia; and​ ​ (b) a period of Australian working life residence equal to or greater than the period identified in accordance with paragraph 6 for that person,​ and has accumulated a Canadian creditable period, then for the purposes of a claim for that Australian benefit, that Canadian creditable period shall be deemed, only for the purposes of meeting any minimum qualifying periods for that benefit set out in the legislation of Australia, to be a period in which that person was an Australian resident. 2. In the case of a claim by a person for a disability support pension or pension payable to a widowed person, paragraph 1 shall apply only to a Canadian creditable period accumulated by that person under the Canada Pension Plan. 3. For the purposes of a claim by a person for a pension payable to a widowed person, that person shall be deemed to have accumulated a Canadian creditable period for any period for which the person's partner accumulated a creditable period under the Canada Pension Plan but any period during which the person and the partner both accumulated Canadian creditable periods under the Canada Pension Plan shall be taken into account once only. 4. For the purposes of paragraph 1, where a person: (a) has been an Australian resident for a continuous period which is less than the minimum continuous period required by the legislation of Australia for entitlement of that person to a benefit; and​ ​ (b) has accumulated a Canadian creditable period in two or more separate periods that exceed in total the minimum period referred to in subparagraph (a),​ the total of the Canadian creditable periods shall be deemed to be one continuous period. 5. For the purposes of this Article: (a) where a period of Australian working life residence and a Canadian creditable period coincide, the period of coincidence shall be taken into account once only as a period in which that person was an Australian resident; and​ ​ (b) a Canadian creditable period accumulated under the Old Age Security Act which coincides with a Canadian creditable period accumulated under the Canada Pension Plan shall be taken into account once only.​ 6. The minimum period to be taken into account for the purposes of subparagraph 1(b) shall be, for a person who is residing outside Australia, a minimum period of Australian working life residence of one year, of which at least 6 months must be continuous and for an Australian resident, no minimum shall apply.

Article 7 Calculation of Australian benefits​

1. Subject to paragraph 2, where an Australian benefit is payable whether by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise to a person who is outside Australia, the rate of that benefit shall be determined according to the social security laws of Australia but: (a) disregarding in the calculation of his or her income:​ ​ (i) the guaranteed income supplement under the Old Age Security Act;​ ​ (ii) the portion of the allowance under that Act equivalent to the guaranteed income supplement; and​ ​ (iii) other Canadian federal, provincial or territorial welfare payments of a similar character which are income or means tested, as mutually agreed by the competent authorities; and​ ​ (b) by assessing as income of that person and, where applicable that person's partner, only a proportion of any other benefit received by that person and, where applicable that person's partner, under the legislation of Canada calculated by multiplying the number of whole months, plus one, accumulated by that person in a period of Australian working life residence, but not exceeding 300, by the amount of that benefit and dividing that product by 300.​ 2. A person referred to in paragraph 1 shall only be entitled to receive the concessional assessment of income described in subparagraph 1(b) for any period during which the rate of that person's Australian benefit is proportionalised under the legislation of Australia. 3. Where an Australian benefit is payable only by virtue of this Agreement to a person who is in Australia, the rate of that benefit shall be determined by: (a) calculating that person's income according to the Australian legislation but disregarding in that calculation any Canadian benefit to which the person or the person's partner is entitled;​ ​ (b) deducting that Canadian benefit from the maximum rate of that Australian benefit; and​ ​ (c) applying to the remaining benefit obtained under subparagraph (b) the relevant rate calculation set out in the Australian legislation, using as the person's income the amount calculated under subparagraph (a).​ 4. Where the rate of a benefit calculated in accordance with paragraph 3 is less than the rate of that benefit which would be payable under paragraph 1 if the person concerned were outside Australia, the first-mentioned rate shall be increased to an amount equivalent to the second-mentioned rate. 5. For the purposes of paragraph 4, a comparison of the rates of a benefit determined in accordance with paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall be made as at: (a) the date of the first pension pay-day occurring after the date on which the claim for the benefit was lodged; and​ ​ (b) each anniversary of that pension pay-day for so long as the person concerned is entitled to the benefit, using, in that comparison, the number of months in the period of Australian working life residence accumulated by the person at the date as at which the comparison is made.​ 6. For the purposes of paragraph 3, where one or the other, or both, of a person and his or her partner are entitled to receive a Canadian benefit, the total of the Canadian benefits payable to that person and his or her partner shall be apportioned equally between them and disregarded in the calculation of their respective incomes, and the amount so apportioned shall be deducted from the amount of Australian benefit that would otherwise be payable to each of them.

Article 8 Recovery of debts​

1. Where: (a) the competent authority of Canada pays a benefit to a person in respect of a past period;​ ​ (b) for all or part of that period, the competent institution of Australia has paid to that person a benefit under the legislation of Australia; and​ ​ (c) the amount of the Australian benefit would have been varied had the Canadian benefit been paid during that period,​ then (d) the amount that would not have been paid by the competent institution of Australia had the Canadian benefit been paid on a periodical basis from the date to which the arrears of benefit referred to in subparagraph (a) were paid shall be a debt due by that person to Australia; and​ ​ (e) the competent institution of Australia may determine that the amount, or any part, of that debt may be deducted from future payments of a benefit to that person.​ 2. In paragraph 1, "benefit" means, in relation to Australia, a pension, benefit or allowance that is payable under the social security laws of Australia.

PART III - PROVISIONS RELATING TO CANADIAN BENEFITS​

Article 9 Totalisation for Canadian benefits​

1. Subject to paragraph 3, if a person is not eligible for a benefit on the basis of his or her Canadian creditable periods, eligibility of that person for that benefit shall be determined by totalising these periods and those specified in paragraph 2. 2. (a) For the purposes of determining eligibility for a benefit under the Old Age Security Act, a period of Australian working life residence shall be considered as a period of residence in Canada.​ ​ (b) For the purposes of determining eligibility for a benefit under the Canada Pension Plan, a calendar year which includes a period of Australian working life residence of at least 6 calendar months shall be considered as a year for which contributions have been made under the Canada Pension Plan.​ 3. For the purposes of this Article, where a Canadian creditable period and a period of Australian working life residence coincide, the period of coincidence shall be taken into account once only as a Canadian creditable period.

Article 10 Benefits under the Old Age Security Act​

1. If a person is eligible for a pension or an allowance solely through the application of the totalising provisions of Article 9, the competent institution of Canada shall calculate the amount of the pension or allowance payable to that person in conformity with the provisions of the Old Age Security Act governing the payment of a partial pension or allowance, exclusively on the basis of the periods of residence in Canada which may be considered under that Act. 2. Paragraph 1 shall also apply to a person outside Canada who would be entitled to the payment of a full pension in Canada but who has not resided in Canada for the minimum period required by the Old Age Security Act for entitlement to payment of a pension outside Canada. 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement: (a) the competent authority of Canada shall not pay a pension under the Old Age Security Act to a person outside Canada unless his or her Canadian creditable period accumulated under that Act and period of Australian working life residence, when totalised as provided in Article 9, are at least equal to the minimum period of residence in Canada required by the Old Age Security Act for payment of a pension outside Canada; and​ ​ (b) an allowance and a guaranteed income supplement shall be paid to a person who is outside Canada only to the extent permitted by the Old Age Security Act.​

Article 11 Benefits under the Canada Pension Plan​

1. If a person is not eligible for a benefit solely on the basis of the periods creditable under the Canada Pension Plan, but is eligible for that benefit through the totalising of periods as provided in Article 9, the competent institution of Canada shall calculate the amount of the earnings-related portion of such benefit under the provisions of the Canada Pension Plan, exclusively on the basis of the pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan. 2. The amount of the flat-rate portion of the benefit payable by virtue of this Agreement shall, in a case referred to in paragraph 1, be determined by multiplying: (a) the amount of the flat-rate portion of the benefit determined under the Canada Pension Plan​ by (b) the fraction which represents the ratio of the periods of contributions to the Canada Pension Plan in relation to the minimum qualifying period required under the Canada Pension Plan for eligibility to that benefit,​ but in no case shall that fraction exceed the value of one.

PART IV - MISCELLANEOUS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS​

Article 12 Lodgement of documents​

1. The date on which a claim, notice or appeal concerning the determination or payment of a benefit under the legislation of one Party is lodged with the competent authority or competent institution of the other Party shall be treated, for all purposes concerning the matter to which it relates, as the date of lodgement of that document with the competent authority or competent institution of the first Party. 2. In relation to Australia, the reference in paragraph 1 to an appeal document is a reference to a document concerning an appeal that may be made to an administrative body established by the social security laws of Australia or made to a body established by other means for the purposes of the social security laws of Australia.

Article 13 Export of benefits​

1. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, the benefits payable to a person under the legislation of one Party shall also be payable to that person when he or she is in the territory of the other Party. 2. Where the legislation of a Party provides that a benefit is payable to a person who is outside the territory of that Party, then that benefit, when payable by virtue of this Agreement, is also payable when that person is outside the territories of both Parties. 3. Where qualification for an Australian benefit is subject to limitations as to time, reference to Australia in those limitations shall be read also as references to Canada. 4. The rights under this Article shall not apply to any rent assistance, pharmaceutical allowance or telephone allowance paid by Australia. 5. A benefit payable by a Party by virtue of this Agreement or under its legislation shall be paid by that Party without deduction of administrative fees and charges by the government or the corresponding competent authority or competent institution for processing and paying that benefit, whether the person qualifying for the benefit is in the territory of the other Party or in a third State. 6. If a person is receiving a carer payment under this Agreement, references to Australia in the provisions relating to qualification and payability of carer payment shall also be read as references to Canada.

Article 14 Exchange of information and mutual assistance​

1. The competent authorities and competent institutions shall: (a) notify each other of laws affecting the application of this Agreement that amend, supplement or replace the social security laws of their respective Parties promptly after the former laws are made;​ ​ (b) unless prohibited by law, communicate to each other any information necessary for the application of this Agreement or of the respective social security laws of the Parties concerning all matters arising under this Agreement or under those laws;​ ​ (c) lend their good offices and furnish assistance to one another with regard to the determination or payment of any benefit under this Agreement or any other entitlement under the respective social security laws as if the matter involved the application of their own laws; and​ ​ (d) at the request of one to the other, assist each other in relation to the implementation of agreements on social security entered into by either of the Parties with third States, to the extent and in the circumstances specified in administrative arrangements made in accordance with Article 15.​ 2. The assistance referred to in paragraph 1 shall be provided free of charge, subject to any arrangement reached between the competent authorities and/or competent institutions for the reimbursement of certain types of expenses. 3. Any information about a person which is transmitted in accordance with this Agreement to a competent authority or competent institution shall be protected in the same manner as information obtained under the social security laws of that Party and shall be disclosed only in the manner permitted by the laws of that Party. 4. In no case shall the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 3 be construed so as to impose on the competent authority or competent institution of a Party the obligation: (a) to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws or the administrative practice of that or the other Party; or​ ​ (b) to supply particulars which are not obtainable under the laws or in the normal course of the administrative practice of that or the other Party.​

Article 15 Administrative arrangements​

The competent authorities of the Parties shall make whatever administrative arrangements are necessary from time to time to implement this Agreement.

Article 16 Language of communication​

In the application of this Agreement, the competent authority or competent institution of a Party may communicate directly with the other competent authority or competent institution in any official language of that Party.

Article 17 Understandings with a Province of Canada​

1. The relevant authority of Australia and a province of Canada may conclude understandings concerning any social security matter within provincial jurisdiction in Canada provided that those understandings are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. 2. If the relevant authority of Australia and a province of Canada conclude such an understanding, then any references in the legislation of Australia to a scheduled international agreement with a foreign country shall be read also as references to a scheduled instrument of understanding between Australia and a province of Canada.

Article 18 Resolution of difficulties​

1. The competent authorities of the Parties shall resolve, to the extent possible, any difficulties which arise in interpreting or applying this Agreement according to its spirit and fundamental principles. 2. The Parties shall consult promptly at the request of either concerning matters which have not been resolved by the competent authorities in accordance with paragraph 1. 3. Any dispute between the Parties concerning the interpretation of this Agreement which has not been resolved or settled by consultation in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2 shall, at the request of either Party, be submitted to arbitration. 4. Unless the Parties mutually determine otherwise, the arbitral tribunal shall consist of three arbitrators, of whom each Party shall appoint one and the two arbitrators so appointed shall appoint a third who shall act as president; provided that if the two arbitrators fail to agree, the President of the International Court of Justice shall be requested to appoint the president. 5. The arbitrators shall determine their own procedures. 6. The decision of the arbitrators shall be final and binding.

Article 19 Review of Agreement​

Where a Party requests the other to meet to review this Agreement, representatives of the Parties shall meet no later than 6 months after that request was made and, unless the Parties otherwise mutually determine, their meeting shall be held in the territory of the Party to which that request was made.

PART V - FINAL PROVISIONS​

Article 20 Transitional provisions​

1. Subject to this Agreement, in determining the eligibility of a person for a benefit payable by virtue of this Agreement: (a) a period as an Australian resident and/or a Canadian creditable period; and​ ​ (b) any event or fact which is relevant to that eligibility​ shall be taken into account in so far as those periods or those events are applicable in regard to that person, no matter when they were accumulated or occurred. 2. Subject to paragraphs 4 and 6, the start date for payment of a benefit payable by virtue of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the legislation of the Party concerned but shall never be earlier than the date on which this Agreement enters into force. 3. Subject to this Agreement, when this Agreement comes into force, any previous agreement shall terminate and persons who were receiving benefits by virtue of that agreement shall receive those benefits by virtue of this Agreement. 4. When a person, due to the operation of paragraph 3 of this Article, receives a carer payment in Australia by virtue of this Agreement, the rate of that carer payment shall be determined according to the legislation of Australia. 5. Where, on the date on which this Agreement enters into force, a person: (a) is in receipt of a benefit under the legislation of either Party by virtue of a previous agreement; or​ ​ (b) is qualified to receive a benefit referred to in subparagraph (a) and, where a claim for that benefit is required, has claimed that benefit,​ no provision of this Agreement shall affect that person's qualification to receive that benefit. 6. An Australian benefit that is payable only by virtue of a previous agreement to a person who: (a) was an Australian resident on 8 May 1985; and​ ​ (b) commenced to receive that benefit before 1 January 1996​ shall be paid, during any absence of that person from Australia that commenced before 1 January 1996, at a rate calculated in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 7 of this Agreement. 7. Where, after the entry into force of this Agreement, a person: (a) applies for a benefit under the legislation of Canada; and​ ​ (b) would have been eligible for that benefit under the provisions of a previous agreement, with a commencement date determined in accordance with the legislation of Canada which is prior to the date of entry into force of this Agreement,​ the competent institution of Canada shall pay that benefit to that person with effect from that commencement date. This shall also be the case in regard to an application for a benefit which is received prior to the entry into force of this Agreement but on which the competent institution of Canada has not yet taken a decision when this Agreement enters into force. 8. A death benefit under the Canada Pension Plan shall not be paid by virtue of this Agreement in respect of a death which occurred before the date of entry into force of a previous agreement.

Article 21 Period of duration and termination​

1. Subject to paragraph 2, this Agreement shall remain in force until the expiration of 12 months from the date on which either Party receives from the other written notice through the diplomatic channel of the intention of the other Party to terminate this Agreement. 2. In the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with paragraph 1, the Agreement shall continue to have effect in relation to all persons who by virtue of this Agreement: (a) at the date of termination, are in receipt of benefits; or​ ​ (b) prior to the expiry of the period referred to in that paragraph, have lodged claims for, and would be entitled to receive, benefits.​

Article 22 Entry into force​

This Agreement shall enter into force on a date specified in notes exchanged by the Parties through the diplomatic channel notifying each other that all matters as are necessary to give effect to this Agreement have been finalised.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement. DONE in two copies at Ottawa this second day of January 2006, in the English and French languages, each text being equally authoritative.

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA:​	FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA:​

Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Canada for Sharing Consular Services Abroad

EXCHANGE OF NOTES CONSTITUTING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA FOR SHARING CONSULAR SERVICES ABROAD​

[Note from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia] Ottawa, 2 January 2006 The Right Honourable Elliot Rosseau, PC, MP Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada​ The Honourable Kevin Rudd, MP Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia

Sir, I have the honour to refer to discussions between representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia (referred to as the "Implementing Departments") regarding the sharing of consular services abroad. In accordance with those discussions I have the honour to inform you that the Government of Canada proposes the following: (1) Each Implementing Department shall provide such consular services to nationals of the other country in such certain locations and under such conditions as are mutually arranged from time to time in a Memorandum of Understanding concluded between the Implementing Departments.​ ​ (2) For the purpose of the Crown Liability Act, Australian personnel acting for Canada under the Memorandum of Understanding shall be considered as acting as agents for the Government of Canada.​ ​ (3) In the event that a claim is made against either Government or its personnel arising out of the performance of this Agreement:​ ​ (a) the Government which obtains notice of this claim shall promptly inform the other Government; and​ ​ (b) the two Governments shall consult at the request of either with a view to the defence or settlement of the claim; and​ ​ (c) each Government shall render all reasonable assistance to the other Government in the defence or settlement of the claim.​ ​ (4) The Government on whose behalf the other Government or its personnel are acting shall indemnify the other Government and its personnel against all financial loss, damages and costs in consequence of the defence, settlement or payment of any claim against the other Government or its personnel arising out of the performance of this Agreement and shall generally hold such other Government and its personnel harmless. The obligation under this paragraph shall not apply to punitive or exemplary damages against the other Government or its personnel.​ I have the honour to propose that if these proposals are acceptable to the Government of Australia, this Note, which is authentic in English and French, and your reply to that effect shall together constitute an Agreement between our two Governments which shall enter into force on the date of your reply Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

[Signed]:

[Note from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada] Ottawa, 2 January 2006 The Honourable Kevin Rudd, MP Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia​ The Right Honourable Elliot Rosseau, PC, MP Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada​

Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Note of 2 January 2006 the English text of which reads as follows: "Sir, I have the honour to refer to discussions between representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia (referred to as the "Implementing Departments") regarding the sharing of consular services abroad. In accordance with those discussions I have the honour to inform you that the Government of Canada proposes the following: (1) Each Implementing Department shall provide such consular services to nationals of the other country in such certain locations and under such conditions as are mutually arranged from time to time in a Memorandum of Understanding concluded between the Implementing Departments.​ ​ (2) For the purpose of the Crown Liability Act, Australian personnel acting for Canada under the Memorandum of Understanding shall be considered as acting as agents for the Government of Canada.​ ​ (3) In the event that a claim is made against either Government or its personnel arising out of the performance of this Agreement:​ ​ (a) the Government which obtains notice of this claim shall promptly inform the other Government; and​ ​ (b) the two Governments shall consult at the request of either with a view to the defence or settlement of the claim; and​ ​ (c) each Government shall render all reasonable assistance to the other Government in the defence or settlement of the claim.​ ​ (4) The Government on whose behalf the other Government or its personnel are acting shall indemnify the other Government and its personnel against all financial loss, damages and costs in consequence of the defence, settlement or payment of any claim against the other Government or its personnel arising out of the performance of this Agreement and shall generally hold such other Government and its personnel harmless. The obligation under this paragraph shall not apply to punitive or exemplary damages against the other Government or its personnel.​ I have the honour to propose that if these proposals are acceptable to the Government of Australia, this Note, which is authentic in English and French, and your reply to that effect shall together constitute an Agreement between our two Governments which shall enter into force on the date of your reply Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration." I have the honour to confirm that the contents of your Note are acceptable to the Government of Australia and that your Note and this reply shall together constitute an Agreement between our two Governments which shall enter into force on the date of this reply. Accept, Sir, renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

[Signed]:

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF CANADA AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE OF AUSTRALIA CONCERNING THE SHARING OF CONSULAR SERVICES​

Having regard to the Exchange of Notes of January 2, 2006 constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Canada concerning the sharing of consular services abroad, and recognizing the similar philosophies underlying the provision of consular services to their respective nationals as well as the benefits flowing from cooperation in consular matters, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada (DFAIT) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Australia have reached the following understanding on consular services to be provided to their respective nationals, points of service and other applicable conditions detailed below.

Scope​

1) In the interest of providing consular protection and assistance to the citizens of Canada and Australia travelling or resident in consular areas specified in the Schedule to this Memorandum of Understanding (referred to as "the specified consular areas") where there is not a consular officer of their own country, the missions of the other country specified in the Schedule of this Memorandum of Understanding (referred to as "the responsible missions") will extend to the citizens of the other country the consular services specified in paragraph 5 (referred to as "the specified consular services"). 2) Each Department will assume the costs of its own administration including communications, salaries, travel and overtime costs of both headquarters and locally-engaged mission personnel, but will reimburse the other Department of funds provided to, or expended on behalf of, consular clients as part of the specified consular services. The Supervising Mission concerned will reimburse the relevant Mission of the other country as soon as possible for the amounts in question. Consequently, Departments will not seek reimbursement direct from citizens of the other country. 3) The Department providing specified consular services will levy fees as required by its own regulations and will retain such fees.

Responsible missions, specified consular areas and supervising missions​

4) The responsible missions of each Department together with the specified consular areas for which they are responsible and the supervising missions of the other Department are set out in the Schedule to this Memorandum of Understanding.

Specified consular services​

5) The specified consular services extended under this Memorandum of Understanding will be the following: a) intervention in the case of arrest or detention;​ ​ b) intervention to assist victims of crime and/or accidents;​ ​ c) assistance on international child abduction/custody cases;​ ​ d) relief, financial assistance and repatriation (services provided on a recoverable basis), including intervention in the case of deportation;​ ​ e) assistance in the case of illness and hospitalization, including arrangements for the payment of medical and hospital accounts (services provided on a recoverable basis);​ ​ f) issue of emergency travel documents in accordance with paragraphs 8 and 10;​ ​ g) assistance with arrangements regarding the deaths of citizens including local burial or shipments of the remains;​ ​ h) assistance relating to lost or stolen property enquiries;​ ​ i) assistance relating to local enquiries regarding the whereabouts of nationals of the other country;​ ​ j) assistance relating to crisis management;​ ​ k) local registration of nationals of the other country;​ ​ l) retention of private mail on behalf of travelling citizens, if the responsible mission already does this for its own citizens;​ ​ m) passing on requests for information and services not covered in subparagraphs (a) to (l) to the supervising mission; and​ ​ n) reporting monthly to respective Departments statistics showing time spent on items (a) to (k) and including general inquiries received by telephone or over the counter.​ These services will be provided in accordance with the provisions and administrative financial regulations of each Department, as set forth in paragraphs 19, 20 and 21. 6) Services which will not be included in this Memorandum of Understanding are the issuance of regular passports or of visas of any kind, legal or notarial acts, assistance in extradition cases, administration of the estates of citizens, registration of deaths, invigilation of examinations and the provision of specific information on any matter other than that pertaining to those consular services set out in paragraph 5.

Emergency travel documents​

7) When directed by the Canadian supervising mission the Australian responsible mission will issue Canadian "Emergency Passports" to Canadian citizens effective only for a limited time and for the purpose of travelling to Canada or to the nearest Canadian mission. 8) When directed by the Australian supervising mission the Canadian responsible mission will issue "Australian Documents of Identity" to Australian citizens effective only for a limited time and for the purpose of travelling to Australia or to the nearest Australian mission. 9) DFAIT will deposit an accountable number of Canadian "Emergency Passports" with each Australian responsible mission. DFAT will deposit an accountable number of "Australian Documents of Identity" with each Canadian responsible mission. 10) DFAIT will inform DFAT of the names of the Canadian Consular Officers at each Canadian responsible mission who it is proposed will issue "Australian Documents of Identity" so that DFAT may designate such persons to carry out that function.

Crisis management​

11) Both departments recognise the value and importance of contingency planning and crisis management, and the opportunities presented by bilateral cooperation in this area. Both departments have mutually decided that: (i) each responsible mission will account for both Canadian and Australian citizens in their emergency plans for the schedule of countries under this MOU;​ ​ (ii) the responsible mission will share these emergency plans with the appropriate supervising mission; and​ ​ (iii) the responsible and supervising missions will foster an ongoing dialogue on contingency planning whereby their roles and responsibilities as they relate to the emergency plans are clarified and updated as needed.​ 12) Both departments recognise the value and importance of contingency planning exercises. Both departments have mutually decided that their missions will invite participation from their counterpart mission(s) in contingency planning exercises that are conducted in countries of their accreditation. Both departments especially encourage joint participation in contingency planning exercises conducted in ‘specified consular areas’ under the bilateral consular sharing agreement. In addition, both departments will look to host capitals-managed crisis preparedness exercises and liaise with each other on timing and participation.

Role of supervising missions​

13) Each responsible mission will report to, and seek specific instructions and authorities from, its supervising mission. Both Departments recognize the importance of regular personal contact between officials of supervising missions and their charges in order to monitor implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding, provide supplies and advice and information that may be useful for the delivery of consular services to respective nationals. Supervising missions are encouraged to visit their charges annually. Supervising missions should ensure that appropriate training is provided and that there is a full understanding of the applicable service standards or client service charters.

Communications​

14) Consultations between missions will often be by telephone. However, specific instructions and authorities should be confirmed in writing so that there is a written record. Such messages may be relayed either directly between missions by commercial means, or through the communications facilities of either Department. Each Department will explore and where agreed to, establish electronic communications between missions using appropriate communications and software technologies.

Travel advisories​

15) Both Departments recognize the value and importance of providing their respective nationals with up to date information on intended destinations. Both agree on the need to ensure close cooperation in the dissemination of travel reports, especially for those destinations covered by the present Memorandum of Understanding.

Language of service​

16) The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will provide specified consular services in English and French, as required. The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will indemnify the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for any incremental costs in providing service in both of Canada's official languages. In the event an Australian mission is unable to provide service to a Canadian national in French, the Australian mission will provide that person with direct access to telephone or electronic communications facilities to the Canadian supervising mission.

Complaints​

17) In the event of a complaint by any national about service provided by a mission of the other country, the complaint should be referred to the home department of the relevant mission for investigation.

Privacy​

18) Personal information provided by a national or permanent resident of either country to a consular or diplomatic agent of the other country will be afforded protection in accordance with the requirements of Canada’s Privacy Act, Australia’s Privacy Act 1988, or both, as applicable. To the extent that either country has information about citizens of the other country in its possession or under its control, where there is a request for access to personal information from an individual about themselves, the country in possession or control of the information requested will respond according to the terms of its own legislation. Use or disclosure of personal information in the possession of or under the control of the Responsible Mission is permissible in accordance with the privacy law of the country of the Responsible Mission. In the event of conflict with the obligations to the Supervising Mission under this arrangement, the privacy laws of the country of the Responsible Mission will prevail. When appropriate, the client’s consent should be obtained before personal information is disclosed to another party. As a general rule: a) the information should be used only for the purpose for which it has been obtained; and b) the information should be afforded adequate protection and disposed of when no longer required.

Consular guides and instructions​

19) For services provided on behalf of Canada the standing instructions will be those in the Manual of Consular Instructions (volumes 1 and 2). 20) For services provided on behalf of Australia the standing instructions will be those found in the Australian Consular Instructions and the Manual of Australian Passport Issue. 21) Australian and Canadian officers may be provided with specific consular, administrative, and financial instructions relating to this Memorandum of Understanding mutually decided upon by both Departments, to supplement the general instructions referred to in paragraphs 19 and 20.

Notification and publicity​

22) Both Departments will ensure that the Governments of Receiving States are aware and have no objection to the arrangements for consular sharing provided for in this Memorandum of Understanding. 23) Each Department will take steps to inform its citizens who are travelling to or resident in the specified consular area of the consular protection and assistance they may expect.

Final provisions​

24) The two Departments will consult from time to time at the request of either to consider amendments to this Memorandum of Understanding (including changes to the Schedule), which they jointly consider desirable. 25) The operation of this Memorandum of Understanding will be reviewed annually. 26) This Memorandum of Understanding takes effect on signature. It may be terminated by either Department giving notice of termination. The Memorandum of Understanding will terminate 6 months after receipt of that notice. Such termination will not affect the continuation in force of the Agreement by Exchange of Notes of January 2, 2006.

SIGNED at Ottawa, this 2nd day of January, 2006 in duplicate, in the English and French languages, each version being equally valid.

[For Canada]:

[For Australia]:

SCHEDULE​

Part 1 - Canadian Missions​

Canadian Mission:	Consular Area(s):	Supervising Australian Mission:
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire	Republic of Cote d'Ivoire	Accra, Ghana
Algiers, Algeria	People's Democratic Republic of Algeria	Paris, France
Dakar, The Gambia	Republic of The Gambia Republic of Senegal Republic of Guinea	Abuja, Nigeria
Havana, Cuba	Republic of Cuba	Mexico City, Mexico
Kigali, Rwanda	Republic of Rwanda	Nairobi, Kenya
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo	Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo	Harare, Zimbabwe
Managua, Nicaragua	Republic of Nicaragua	Mexico City, Mexico
Oslo, Norway	Kingdom of Norway	Copenhagen, Denmark
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso	Burkina Faso	Accra, Ghana
Port-au-Prince, Haiti	Republic of Haiti	Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Quito, Ecuador	Republic of Ecuador	Santiago, Chile
Reykjavik, Iceland	Iceland	Copenhagen, Denmark
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic	Dominican Republic	Mexico City, Mexico
Tunis, Tunisia	Republic of Tunisia	Ta' Xbiex, Malta
Yaounde, Cameroon	Republic of Cameroon Gabonese Republic	Abuja, Nigeria
Caracas, Venezuela	Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela	Bogota, Colombia
Bamako, Mali	Republic of Mali	Accra, Ghana
Astana, Kazakhstan	Republic of Kazakhstan	Moscow, Russia
Budapest, Hungary	Hungary	Vienna, Austria

Part 2 - Australian Missions​

Australian Mission:	Consular Area(s):	Supervising Canadian Mission:
Apia, Samoa	Independent State of Samoa Territory of American Samoa, United States	Wellington, New Zealand
Denpasar, Indonesia (Consulate-General)	Province of Bali, Republic of Indonesia Province of West Nuga Tenggara, Republic of Indonesia	Jakarta, Indonesia
Dili, Timor-Leste	Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste	Jakarta, Indonesia
Honiara, Solomon Islands (High Commission)	Solomon Islands	Canberra, Australia
Honolulu, United States (Consulate-General)	State of Hawaii, United States Territory of Guam, United States	San Francisco, United States
Koror, Palau	Republic of Palau Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, United States	Canberra, Australia
Majuro, Marshall Islands	Republic of the Marshall Islands	Canberra, Australia
Aiwo, Nauru	Republic of Nauru	Canberra, Australia
Noumea, New Caledonia (Consulate-General)	New Caledonia, Kingdom of France Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands, Kingdom of France	Canberra, Australia
Nuku'alofa, Tonga	Kingdom of Tonga	Wellington, New Zealand
Papeete, French Polynesia (Consulate-General)	French Polynesia, Kingdom of France	Wellington, New Zealand
Phuket, Thailand (Consulate-General)	Phuket Province, Republic of Thailand	Bangkok, Thailand
Pohnpei, Micronesia	Federated States of Micronesia	Canberra, Australia
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (High Commission)	Independent State of Papua New Guinea	Canberra, Australia
Port Vila, Vanuatu	Republic of Vanuatu	Canberra, Australia
Tarawa, Kiribati	Republic of Kiribati	Wellington, New Zealand
Funafuti, Tuvalu (High Commission)	Tuvalu	Wellington, New Zealand

Nathan