The Rudd Government will review the operations of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which is already facing funding cuts. The budget is expected to slice more money from diplomats although the Government expects the department to take on new tasks.

The Opposition said any review should reverse the existing cuts. The Government has already decided to cut $57 million from the department, resulting in the loss of 19 positions in overseas missions including one from Australia's high commission in Kenya where there is an ongoing crisis, and two positions from the team that is negotiating a free trade agreement with Japan.

The department is also axing the Australia on the World Stage program, designed to promote cultural exports to the world. It is believed the expenditure review committee will cut more funding, in addition to the 2 per cent efficiency dividend.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said yesterday the review would be completed in time for the 2009-10 budget process. ''This is what I regard as normal good management practice, to ensure our resources are tailored to our priorities,'' he said. ''It is a natural thing for a new government to do, particularly a government mapping out a modern foreign policy approach for a new era.

''Much has changed in the international environment since 2000, when the last review of the department was undertaken. ''While I have not proposed an overhaul of the department, a small task force has been established to work on the review.'' The review will be done in conjunction with the Department of Finance.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Robb said, ''The Government's approach to foreign affairs and trade issues is increasingly scatter-gun and confused.'' He said the review came after some cuts had already been announced and had been followed by the commitment to pursue a four-year, $40million bid for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council. ''These cuts and reviews will put even more pressure on the people and resources within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the same time as they have a Prime Minister demanding that Australia pursue 'active, creative middle- power diplomacy in partnership with the community of nations', whatever that means,'' Mr Robb said.

Opposition backbencher Senator Russell Trood said, ''To date there has been a great deal of hypocrisy about the Government's ambitious foreign policy agenda. ''If the review doesn't result in a substantial increase in DFAT's funding it will have been a complete waste of time.''

Source: The Canberra Times