Mr Latham asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 9 March 1999:

(1) Did the McMahon Government close the Australian Consulate in Dili on 31 August 1971; if so, is he able to state the reasons for the closure.

(2) Which persons served as consuls in Dili and between which dates did each serve.

(3) Were persons referred to in part (2) previously employed by Commonwealth departments or agencies; if so, in each case, (a) between which dates and (b) in what capacity were they employed.

Mr Downer (Foreign Affairs) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) Yes. The closure was a result of a Government decision to reduce departmental expenditure. It also followed the establishment of an Australian Embassy in Lisbon in December 1970. The new Embassy was able to perform many of the functions previously carried out by the Consulate, especially with regard to liaison with the Portuguese authorities.

(2) Australian Consuls in Dili, and their dates of appointment, are as follows: Group Captain D. Ross (5 November 1941); Post evacuated June 1942; Group Captain C. Eaton (1 January 1946); H.D. White (18 October 1947); Post vacant 24 June 1950; N. McE Elliot, Vice Consul (7 January 1951); Post vacant 26 February 1952; F.J.A. Whittaker (4 November 1953); W.A. Luscombe (27 November 1959); J.S. Dunn (24 January 1962); D.W. Milton, Acting Consul (12 August 1964); J.D. Colquhoun-Denvers (16 December 1965); M.F. Berman (27 November 1968); G.W. Shannon (20 January 1970); D.W. Milton (14 January 1971; Post closed 31 August 1971.

(3) Yes. My Department does not currently have the resources to undertake research into personnel records more than 25 years old.