Foreign Affairs and Trade
A Safer Australia - expansion of Australia's secure diplomatic communication network
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | 9.9 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $9.4 million in 2003-04 ($9.9 million capital funding offset by a $0.5 million expense saving) to fund infrastructure and support costs for an expansion of Australia's secure diplomatic communications network to cover an additional 23 locations (to a total of 97 locations) in Australia and overseas. The additional locations are in Australia, the Pacific, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The Secure Australian Telecommunications and Information Network supports secure messaging, office automation and network services between Australia (covering 15 Commonwealth agencies) and Australian Government posts overseas.
See also the related expense measure titled A Safer Australia - expansion of Australia's secure diplomatic communication network in the A Safer Australia package in the Attorney-General's portfolio.
A Safer Australia - measures to further enhance the response to terrorism
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Secret Intelligence Service | 3.5 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $3.5 million to the Australian Secret Intelligence Service in 2003-04 to sustain and further enhance Australia's response to terrorism.
See also the related expense measure titled A Safer Australia - measures to further enhance the response to terrorism in the A Safer Australia package in the Attorney-General's portfolio.
A Safer Australia - research into passport biometrics
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | 1.1 | - | - | - |
As part of the Government's A Safer Australia package, the Government will fund $3.0 million in 2003-04 (including $1.9 million expense funding) for the continuation of research into a biometric identifier for the Australian passport. The introduction of a biometric identifier has the capacity to strengthen border protection through more robust identity verification processes and to reduce the risk of passport fraud.
See also related expense measure titled A Safer Australia - research into passport biometrics in the A Safer Australia package in the Attorney-General's portfolio.
Australian Secret Intelligence Service - enhanced output capabilities
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Secret Intelligence Service | 0.5 | - | - | - |
The Government will fund the Australian Secret Intelligence Service $0.5 million in 2003-04 to support a whole-of-government approach to addressing national security issues.
See also the related expense measure titled Australian Secret Intelligence Service - enhanced output capabilities in the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
Geneva Chancery - defects rectification project
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | 1.7 | 3.0 | - | - |
The Government has agreed to expenditure of $1.7 million in 2003-04 and $3.0 million in 2004-05 to rectify defects at the Geneva Chancery, Switzerland. The chancery opened in 1998 and has been subject to architectural and mechanical defects since project completion.
The project will be funded from reserves held in the Overseas Property Special Account in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Iraq - reopening of an Australian office
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | 3.2 | 0.1 | - | - |
| Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs | - | - | - | - |
| Australian Trade Commission | 0.5 | - | - | - |
The Government has decided to re-establish Australia's diplomatic presence in Baghdad, Iraq at a cost of $3.8 million over four years from 2003-04 to 2006-07. This funding will be used on the fitout of the office and other minor capital expenses. An additional $21 million expense funding will also be provided.
The office will include representatives from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs and the Australian Trade Commission to enable Australia to advance its commercial, immigration and humanitarian interests in post-conflict Iraq.
See also the related expense measure titled Iraq - reopening of an Australian office in the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
New Delhi Chancery - construction of a new chancery and residential accommodation
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | - | - | 0.9 | 6.3 |
The Government has agreed to additional expenditure of $0.9 million in 2005-06 and $6.3 million in 2006-07 for the construction of Australia's new chancery in New Delhi, India. This will increase the total funding for the project from $17.4 million to $24.6 million.
The increased scope of the project relates to enhanced physical security for the chancery, including the construction of a secure basement carpark and secure temporary accommodation during construction.
The funding for the chancery will be met from reserves held in the Overseas Property Special Account in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Paris Chancery - refurbishment of apartments
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | 1.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | - |
The Government will provide $9.5 million over three years (2003-04 to 2005-06) for the refurbishment of 29 apartments in the Paris Embassy apartment complex. Current facilities are considered to be at the end of their useful life.
This refurbishment will be funded from reserves held in the Overseas Property Special Account in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Washington Head of Mission Residence - refurbishment
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | 0.7 | 5.2 | - | - |
The Government will provide $5.9 million over two years to undertake a major refurbishment of the Washington Head of Mission Residence in 2003-04 and 2004-05. This will enable compliance and workplace health and safety issues in the kitchen and elsewhere to be addressed as a matter of priority.
The refurbishment will be funded from reserves held in the Overseas Property Special Account in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Wellington Chancery - mid-life upgrade and refurbishment
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | 0.1 | 4.7 | 1.7 | - |
The Government will provide $6.5 million over three years (2003-04 to 2005-06) to undertake a mid-life refurbishment of the Wellington Chancery, New Zealand. The chancery building is 25 years old and requires a major mid-life building services upgrade to enable the High Commission to continue in these premises.
This upgrade will be funded from reserves held in the Overseas Property Special Account in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.