The Rudd government’s populist promise of enhanced diplomatic and trade engagement with Europe appears to be empty rhetoric, according to Queensland Liberal Senator Russell Trood.
In Europe, during his much vaunted world trip in April, the Prime Minister said, “I want to leave you with one clear message: the new Australian Government is committed to building a new, positive partnership with Europe – a new economic partnership, a new security partnership, a new development partnership…”
However, the extent of the staff cuts being imposed on our diplomatic service belies Mr Rudd’s promise to Europe. The cuts to Australia’s diplomatic positions in Europe and an unexplained delay in finding a replacement for at least one ‘abandoned’ Head of Mission post puts Kevin Rudd’s European agenda firmly on the back foot, Senator Trood said.
“Supposedly, Mr Rudd’s foreign policy commits to expanding our political and economic partnership with the European Union, yet half of the 20 foreign diplomatic positions to be axed are from the Europe. I am at a loss to understand the curious logic behind these cutbacks.”
As the Deputy Chair of the Senate Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Senator Trood questioned how Australia can possibly maintain a strong corporate identity in Europe when its diplomatic representation in the region is reduced and weakened?
Senator Trood was highlighting the government’s lacklustre commitment to Europe at yesterday’s Senate hearings into the Budget Estimates, pointing to DFAT’s failure to find a replacement for Australia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
The former High Commissioner in London, Richard Alston completed his three-year term in early March and yet there has been no replacement appointed by the Rudd government – and no recommendation for a replacement forthcoming from DFAT.
“The department’s usual practice is to recommend suitable candidates and to have the replacement ready to take up the posting at least four to eight weeks prior to the commencement of such appointments. Why, in the case of a much coveted post, is it proving so difficult to fill?”
Senator Trood said the recruitment policy for Heads of Missions appeared woefully inconsistent considering that successors had already been found for Australia’s High Commissioners to Canada and South Africa – which are not due until October and December respectively – and a decision was readily made to extend the term of our Ambassador to the USA.
“The same diligence has not been applied to the UK and it would appear that Australia’s representation in London has been left rudderless,” Senator Trood said.