The head of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a stern warning to travellers that embassy officials won’t always be there to get you out of trouble.
In a speech given to the Lowy institute yesterday, Mr. Richardson said governments have a responsibility to help individuals where they are caught up in circumstances beyond their control, but this responsibility has limits - and citizens should not expect government to be a knight in shining armour at all times.
''I think we should be prepared to draw the line in certain areas. I think it's important for us to get across the message that as individuals, we do have responsibility for our own actions and our own decisions.''
Help, I’m a citizen, get me out of here!
During the Egyptian revolution some travellers heeded government warnings and used their existing commercial flight tickets to leave the country. Mr Richardson was critical of others who appeared to expect their government to come and get them. When the already bad situation turned worse, Australia sent two QANTAS charter planes to take Aussies from Egypt to Frankfurt
Despite those efforts, there were still complaints that not enough was done to support Australians stranded overseas. A case in point: two Australians who were rescued by the charter flights, asked consular staff if they would be earning frequent flyer points.
These events highlight the need for travellers to be responsible for their own safety - some suggest that governments should not have to bear the cost of poor decisions made by travellers in defiance of clear safety warnings.
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