12.1 Australia's protective security obligations

The Australian Government takes seriously its obligations under the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations to protect diplomatic missions and consular posts and their staff. These obligations have been adopted into Australian law by the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1967 and the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972, and augmented by the Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Act 1971 and the Crimes (Internationally Protected Persons) Act 1976.

12.2 Emergencies and incidents

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) for police, fire brigade or ambulance services.

State or territory police emergency numbers can be found in telephone directories and relevant websites. Missions should familiarise themselves with these numbers.

When making an emergency phone call, the caller should make clear the status of the mission, consulate or residence.

Missions should also notify Protocol Branch of any emergency situation by calling the Protocol Branch Duty Officer on 0418 167 127. This number is monitored out of business hours and on weekends.

The Australian Federal Police have provided a guide to the 'Dos and Don'ts'[Word 24 KB] when handling suspicious mail, threatening mail and threatening phone calls and additional information [PDF 920 KB] for emergency situations.

12.2.1 Contact persons for security matters and emergencies

Missions should ensure that Protocol Branch has up to date information on the name, address and telephone numbers (home and mobile) of the head of each mission and office, as well as a duty officer, who can be contacted outside of business hours. This information is treated as confidential and will be used in the event the police or Protocol Branch needs to reach the person in an emergency.

12.3 Protection of personnel and premises

The Attorney-General’s Department coordinates physical security infrastructure arrangements for diplomatic and consular premises and personnel in Australia. They consult with police, security agencies and government departments to inform appropriate protective security arrangements.

Missions and posts are expected to provide an appropriate level of physical security for themselves, including fencing and other perimeter security measures, entry controls, and intruder and duress alarms. Guards cannot be armed (see also chapter 13). The Australian Federal Police (AFP) Operations Coordination Centre (AOCC) in Canberra provides a monitoring and response service for alarms installed at chanceries, consulates and head of mission/post residences that have been approved for such monitoring.

AFP and State and Territory police maintain close liaison with missions and posts, particularly those subject to threats or recurrent incidents.

Freedom of expression and peaceful political protest are a key part of Australia's system of democracy. This means that, from time to time, there may be protest activity directed at missions and posts. Appropriate efforts will be made to protect the safety and dignity of missions and posts during such protests.

Primary operational responsibility for law enforcement and public order rests with local, that is state or territory police. In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the responsible police are the AFP, ACT Region - also known as ACT Policing.

12.3.1 ACT, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia

Protective security arrangements for missions and posts in the ACT, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia combine high visibility patrols by armed AFP officers in uniform, on foot and in marked vehicles. AFP - Uniformed Protection (AFP - UP) normally provides regular vehicle patrolling of most areas where missions and posts are located. Patrols cover chanceries, consular offices and heads of mission/post residences. In cases of specific threat, patrols may also cover staff residences.

Where necessary, a uniformed static presence or mobile close personal protection (CPP) service will be provided. If there is a specific threat, further protective security arrangements will be implemented commensurate with the threat.

If a threat develops or a security incident occurs, AFP is authorised to respond immediately. In an emergency or an incident requiring a local police response, local police are also notified and requested to attend the scene.

12.3.2 Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory

In Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, local police provide whatever protective security is considered necessary. Normal community policing arrangements apply. These can be reinforced when a situation requires additional resources.

12.4 Foreign elections

Missions and posts do not need to seek approval to open polling stations on their premises for home country elections. Local regulations may, however, apply where polling stations are located away from the premises of a mission or post. Missions and posts should check with local authorities regarding any state or territory regulations or municipal by-laws that may be relevant to the conduct of polling.

Missions should also notify Protocol Branch in advance by note verbale so they can inform security authorities of the polling date and venue/s. Those authorities will assess whether special security measures are considered necessary and advise the relevant mission and posts accordingly.