|
Contents > Overviews > Outcome 1: National Interests > Outcome 2: Consular & Passports > Outcome 3: Public Diplomacy > Management > Financial Statements > Appendixes > Glossaries
YOU ARE CURRENTLY AT: Outcome 1 > Output 1.5 > Quality and quantity information
OUTCOME 1: Australia's national interests protected and advanced through contributions to international security, national economic and trade performance and global cooperation
|
Output 1.5: |
OUTPUT 1.5 QUALITY AND QUANTITY INFORMATION
Quality Indicators
|
Quantity Indicator
|
Services to diplomatic and consular representatives
Achievements that improved the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of our services included:
- an annual staff return exercise to ensure census data for all missions and posts remained current;
- an upgrading of the diplomatic and consular lists to a more useable format, available as a word document on the department’s website;
- maintenance of the maximum processing time for identity cards at three working days and, almost without exception, presentation by resident heads of missions of their credentials within three weeks of arrival in Canberra; and
- conclusion of bilateral employment arrangements/agreements—which govern employment conditions for family members of diplomatic staff overseas—with Papua New Guinea, Chile, Mexico and Poland. Negotiations are under way with a further four countries.
Client satisfaction
The diplomatic and consular corps welcomed the range of new services we provided during the year. We received high praise from the corps for successfully arranging a familiarisation visit to Adelaide, hosted by Mr Downer, for heads of Canberra-based missions and spouses. Given the success of this first visit to a State capital, we plan to organise similar programs in the future.
Mr Downer is flanked by Canberra heads of mission and spouses who participated in an inaugural interstate visit for the Canberra Diplomatic Corps to Adelaide in March 2000.
To develop goodwill and promote engagement with the diplomatic corps in Canberra, we organised a visit by head of mission spouses to Braidwood, NSW, to view historical and cultural aspects of that region. The spouses commented favourably on this initiative, including the quality and balance of the program.
A number of missions expressed their appreciation for the assistance we provided in relation to diplomatic protection issues.
Feedback on the timeliness and professionalism of the authorisation of diplomatic visas and the issues of identification cards was overwhelmingly positive.
Regular positive feedback, and the very small number of complaints received, evidenced client satisfaction with our services. Those few complaints we did receive were dealt with quickly and to the satisfaction of all parties.
Formal and informal feedback from heads of mission on credentials arrangements was very positive. Newly arrived heads of mission commonly expressed appreciation to the Chief of Protocol for meeting them at the airport, arranging the prompt issue of identity cards, providing comprehensive briefings on the presentation of credentials ceremony, and coordinating arrangements for the presentation of credentials and for programs of introductory calls. Favourable initial impressions of the department and of the Australian Government established a reservoir of goodwill for furthering bilateral relations.
Quantity information
|
Number of diplomatic representatives for whom the department provides services.1 |
791 |
|
Number of consular representatives for whom the department provides services.2 |
826 |
|
Number and category of services provided.3 |
12 |
1 This figure reflects the number of members of the Diplomatic Corps.
2 This figure reflects the number of members of the Consular Corps. If dependants are included in this and the above figure, the full number of people to whom we provide services is 4122.
3 There were 12 types of services provided. Of the 12 services provided, key categories include: visa issue (1856 for members of the corps and 63 for private domestic employees); 1015 arrivals and departures processed; 1288 identity cards issued; arrangements made for 27 new foreign heads of mission; issue of 47 exaquaturs; facilitation of purchase/registration of 636 cars for privileged personnel; permission for 49 dependants to work in Australia; facilitation of 64 foreign awards to Australian citizens; payment of the non-beneficial component of rates for diplomatic premises owned by the sending state ($252 742).
YOU ARE CURRENTLY AT: Outcome 1 > Output 1.5 > Quality and quantity information
|
|
Contents > Overviews > Outcome 1: National Interests > Outcome 2: Consular & Passports > Outcome 3: Public Diplomacy > Management > Financial Statements > Appendixes > Glossaries
© Commonwealth of Australia 2000 | Disclaimer | Privacy
This page last modified: Thursday, 01 April 2004 11:10:45 AM
Local Date: Sunday, 22 November 2009 02:01:26 AM