Additional comments by Government senators

Communication and access to information

Recommendation 1

1.1               Government senators support the recommendation in principle, but do not specify the name of a portal.

Policy formulation and coordination

Recommendation 2

1.2               Government senators support the more effective coordination of policies relating to Australian expatriates through the establishment of a small policy unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Recommendation 3

1.3               Government senators support recommendation 3.

Australian missions overseas

Recommendation 4

1.4               Government senators acknowledge and commend the extensive engagement carried out by Australian missions with expatriate Australians, illustrated in the submission of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Government senators support formalising that activity as recommended.

Recommendation 5

1.5               Government senators support the development of a new online professional registration facility, but recommend that it is established separately from the existing on-line register of Australians overseas (ORAO).

Concerns regarding voting and citizenship rights

Recommendation 6, 7 and 8

1.6               Government senators support these matters being taken into consideration in any further review of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948.

Recommendation 8

1.7               government senators support this recommendation.

Recommendation 9

1.8               Government senators support this recommendation.

Recommendation 10

1.9               Government senators support the provision of useful citizenship advice and services to expatriate Australians and note that many of the previous recommendations in relation to online support will assist in this process.

Recommendation 11

1.10           Government senators do not support this recommendation. Government senators support an investigation of the potential level of use of such an initiative, and the cost that would be associated with it before any decision is made to implement such a telephone information line.

voting issues

Recommendation 12, 13 and 14

1.11           Government senators support these recommendations

Engagement with expatriates

Recommendation 15

1.12           Government senators support this recommendation.

Recommendation 16

1.13           Government senators support this recommendation.

Senator Marise Payne
Liberal Party
Deputy Chair

Senator Nigel Scullion
Country Liberal Party