Have you ever contacted the Australian consulate with a request to borrow a laptop or pay a hotel bill you couldn’t afford?
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop there are a number of Australians that have a misunderstanding of what consulates do and the services they provide, ABC News reported.
At the launch of a new three-year ‘Consular Strategy’ designed to educate the public on Australian consulates, she said people can’t assume consular officers can do everything, especially if a local law is broken.
“Consular officers cannot get you out of jail or issue you with a passport so you can evade justice. Consular assistance is a last-resort service.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, officers assist some 1,300 Australian in a single day.
Among the strangest queries received by the department include will my cruise have food?; can you feed my dog while I’m away; and what is the best hotel in Phuket?
Aussies warned of limited support while travelling. Image: Pressmaster/Shutterstock
As a result the new ‘Consular Strategy’ aims to inform these travellers of consular services, the importance of travel insurance and registering with Smartraveller.
“I want to send a very clear message: consular assistance should not be seen as a right, it is a privilege.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop
The ‘strategy was welcomed by the Australian Federation of Travel Agents today, with chief executive Jason Westbury stressing the importance for Australian travellers to understand the services available to them.
“In the past decade we have seen the number of Australian’s travelling overseas more than double and Consular services is vital to the travel industry and an important resource for the travel agent.”
Jayson Westbury, AFTA chief executive
