Home - Embassy of Australia

Embassy of Australia

United States of America

Embassy address: 1601 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington DC 20036 - Telephone: (202) 797 3000 - Fax: (202) 797 3168

Latest News

Australian Federal Election 2013 Click here for information on the Australian Federal Election on 14 September.
A Consular Officer will be in Miami on 27 & 28 June to conduct interviews for passport clients. Click here for more information.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith		Minister for Defence to visit the United States Defence Minister Stephen Smith will visit New York and Washington DC from 18 to 21 May. In New York, he will speak to the UN Security Council Arria Formula Meeting on Implementing the UN Security Council’s Women, Peace and Security agenda and he will also affirm Australia’s ongoing support to United Nations’ peacekeeping operations. In Washington DC, he will meet with US Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, and take the opportunity to brief the US Administration on the recently released 2013 Defence White Paper, which highlights Australia’s Alliance with the United States as a foundation for our defence, security and strategic arrangements. (more)
Defence Smith with US Ambassador to Australia, Jeffrey Bleich		Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty comes into force Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the United States Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Jeffrey Bleich, today exchanged diplomatic notes to bring the Australia – United States Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty into force. The Treaty’s entry into force reflects Australia and the United States’ commitment to cooperation in Defence capability and technology. It is a significant step forward for the Australia-US Alliance. (more)
Stephen Bracks		Consul-General in New York Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced the Honourable Stephen Bracks AC as Australia's next Consul-General in New York. Mr Bracks is expected to take up his appointment in September 2013 replacing Mr Phillip Scanlan AM. Mr Bracks was elected to the Victorian Parliament in 1994 and became Victoria's 44th Premier in 1999. He served as Victoria's Premier, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and Minister for Veterans' Affairs from 1999 until he retired from the Victorian Parliament in 2007. (more)
Foreign Minister Bob Carr		Australia raises human rights with Sri Lanka Speaking in the Senate, Foreign Minister Bob Carr today said the lead-up to CHOGM offers an opportunity for the Commonwealth to highlight areas that require progress in Sri Lanka, and offer practical assistance where appropriate. Senator Carr said engagement, not isolation, is the most effective way to promote human rights, the rule of law and democratic governance in Sri Lanka. For this reason, the Australian Government has reaffirmed it will attend CHOGM in Sri Lanka. (more)
Pakistan elections The Australian Government congratulates Pakistan and its people on the successful completion of its elections on May 11, 2013. These elections will see the first transfer of power from one democratically elected civilian government to another in the country's 66 year history. The Australian Government is encouraged by the high voter turnout, especially among women, despite threats of violence from some terrorist groups during the election campaign. (more)
Protecting Australia's interests abroad Measures announced today in the 2013-14 Budget for the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio reinforce the Gillard Government's commitment to protect and advance Australia's interests abroad. The Government will invest $52.6 million over three years to construct secure, purpose-built residential accommodation in Kabul to provide a more manageable security environment for Australian staff working in Afghanistan. (more)
Foreign Aid The Gillard Government will increase Australia's Official Development Assistance to a record $5.7 billion in 2013-14. This is an increase of approximately $500 million or 9.6 per cent on 2012-13 and brings the aid budget to 0.37 per cent of gross national income (GNI). It will be the highest aid budget in Australian history. (more)
BPOV MEAO (behind point of view, Middle East Area of Operations)		Point of View - Afghanistan by Shaun Gladwell .. on exhibit @ Embassy until 21 June Point of View - Afghanistan features video and photographs from Shaun Gladwell's attachment to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in Afghanistan and the Middle East as Australia's Official War Artist in 2009. The exhibition comprises work that formed part of Gladwell's official commission for the ADF as well as photographs he took of Australian and American soldiers during his time in the war zone. It is the first time video has been used as a medium by a War artist.(more)