The diplomatic activities have changed during the lockdown. If receptions and networking cocktails have ceased, the missions of consular guidance and assistance have increased tenfold!
The Consular Corps in Victoria met each month through video conference sessions.
During the first one in April, organised by Senator David Van, the Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Simon Birmingham provided a very productive briefing on Australia’s response to the COVID crisis in matters of trade and investment.
The sessions in May and June, organised by Andrew Cumpston, the Head of DFAT Victoria, were a mine of useful information concerning Border Force and other issues affecting the lives of the communities that the Consular Corps of Melbourne represent.
