The ninth annual Lowy Institute Poll reports the results of a nationally representative survey of 1,002 Australian adults conducted by mobile and fixed-line telephone in Australia between 4 and 20 March 2013. The 2013 Poll rated the major political parties on a range of key foreign policy

In an opinion piece in The Australian, Research Fellow Alex Oliver writes that a huge increase in overseas travel by Australians is putting unsustainable pressure on Australia’s consular services. This comes at a time with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is stretched to the limit from decades of under-resourcing and political neglect. Oliver argues that DFAT cannot continue to provide appropriate consular services without additional funding, and recommends a consular fee or levy on Australians travelling overseas.

In a piece for Crikey, Research Fellow Alex Oliver examines the problems of the continued understaffing and underfunding of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.