DFAT needs 'more envoys and a funding overhaul'

A LABOR-BACKED report has exposed the nation's international representation as underfunded and "seriously deficient".

A LABOR-BACKED report has exposed the nation's international representation as underfunded and "seriously deficient", as the government's Asian white paper calls for an enlarged diplomatic footprint in the region.

The report recommends yet another white paper to bolster Australia's overseas network, an external review of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and an increase of at least 20 Australian overseas posts.

Released by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade after significant consultation, the report recommends a new funding model for DFAT, allocating annual revenue according to a set percentage of gross domestic product. A new "budget priority" for overseas representation is also proposed.

The report, which enjoys bipartisan support, proposes increased passport fees and a new indexed "travel levy" to alleviate the strain on Australian consular services.

Foreign Affairs subcommittee chairman and Labor MP Nick Champion said another white paper should be devised to "set the agenda for Australia's entire government overseas representation".

"Australia has the smallest diplomatic network of the G20 countries and is clearly punching below its weight," said Mr Champion.

The report reinforces the difficulty of achieving the objective contained in Sunday's Asian white paper of pumping up Australia's diplomatic presence in the region with a new Jakarta-based ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, an embassy in Mongolia and consulates in Thailand, Indonesia and China.

Julia Gillard has been unable to say when the new diplomatic arrangements can take place, citing the current "fiscally tight times".

Yesterday the Lowy Institute's Alex Oliver said staffing levels at DFAT had fallen by about 11 per cent since the late 1980s, despite an overall increase to the public service of 60 per cent.

She said this had come at a time of transformation in the Asian economy and as Australia's diplomatic service was bracing for new pressures as a result of the successful bid for a temporary

UN Security Council seat. "If

the government has made Australia in the Asian Century a priority then it has to back it up with diplomatic resources," Ms Oliver said.

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop said the government had not provided any additional funding to support the temporary UN seat in the mid-year economic review. She expressed concern about the prospect of another white paper, saying it was a "recipe for inaction" under the current government.

"I have previously announced that the Coalition will review our diplomatic presence overseas to ensure that our footprint matches our national interest," she said.

The DFAT allocation for Australia's diplomatic network in 2011-12 was $831.1 million, down from $875.6m in 2010-11. The estimate for 2012-13 is $874.5m. This time last year there were 4154 staff employed at DFAT.

The department has said that if it received increased funding of $25m to $75m a year it could open up to 50 new positions, giving priority to the G20, East Asia Summit and a range of smaller posts.