Serious doubts have been raised about the value of the Rudd Government’s appointment of a resident Ambassador to the Holy See.

In Senate Estimate hearings for the Department of Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade, DFAT officials today revealed that they were never consulted about the decision to establish a resident Ambassador to the Vatican or the appointment of Mr. Tim Fischer to the post.

DFAT officials advised the committee that they were only advised of the government’s decision a week before it was announced.

The resident Ambassador will cost the Australian taxpayers at least $13 million over the next four years.

Senator Trood criticised the government’s decision as reflecting a completely inadequate assessment of Australia’s diplomatic priorities, given the very high cost of locating a resident Ambassador in Rome and the Department’s opinion that Australia needs to increase its diplomatic representation in places such as Africa. The decision makes little sense for a diplomatic service with very limited resources.

Mr. Fischer will undoubtedly be a very good Ambassador, Senator Trood said, but his services could be far better used elsewhere.