Output 4.7—Ceremonial and hospitality

Page Index

• Feedback on performance
• Key results

The chief role of the Ceremonial and Hospitality Branch (CERHOS) is to manage the state occasions and official visits administered item. The following narrative covers both departmental and administered items outcomes.

Feedback on performance

The Prime Minister, staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, visiting guests of government and a range of other sources provided extensive feedback on the work of CERHOS during 2004–05. Specific and highly positive recognition of the sustained effort made by CERHOS staff, particularly during the period from January to May, came from the Prime Minister, the Secretary and the departmental Executive. Additional feedback was received in comments and letters of appreciation from visitors and their diplomatic representatives, as well as in visit assessment cables submitted by Australia’s overseas posts.

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Key results

In the year 2004–05 considerable challenges were posed by the planning and coordination of eight separate overseas visits by the Prime Minister, and five head-of-government and six head-of-state visits to Australia; coordination of a memorial service for the victims of the Sea King helicopter tragedy; arrangement of two state funerals; and coordination of thirteen ministerial visits. Nonetheless, the branch continued to deliver high-quality ceremonial and hospitality services and to perform effectively under pressure.

Prime Minister’s overseas visits

CERHOS planned and coordinated eight overseas visits by the Prime Minister, to:

• Samoa, to attend the Pacific Islands Forum (6–7 August 2004)
• Indonesia, for the inauguration of President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (19–20 October 2004)
• Chile, to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (18–23 November 2004)
• Laos, to attend the ASEAN–CER Summit in Vientiane (29 November–December 2004)
• Indonesia, following the Indian Ocean tsunamis (5–7 January 2005)
• Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum at Davos, and to Singapore and Indonesia (27 January–2 February)
• New Zealand, for annual bilateral talks (19–21 February 2005)
• China, to attend the Bao Forum; Japan, to attend the Aichi Expo; Turkey, to attend the ninetieth anniversary commemorations at Gallipoli; and Greece (18–28 April 2005).

Visits to Australia

A large number of head-of-state and head-of-government visits were undertaken during the year.

These included visits by the Sultan of Brunei, the President of Israel, the President of Singapore, the President of Indonesia, the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the President of Pakistan.

Head-of-government visits were made by the prime ministers of Thailand, Sweden, Norway, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Mr Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People’s National Congress and the second most senior member of the Chinese Government, visited Australia on an official visit from 19–25 May 2005.

CERHOS also coordinated two royal visits during 2004–05.

The Prince of Wales visited Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, from 28 February to 5 March.

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark visited New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania, from 20 February to 11 March.

The branch coordinated 13 ministerial-level guest of government visits, including those by the foreign ministers of Brunei, Korea, Germany, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and other portfolio ministers representing Malaysia, France, New Zealand, Singapore and Turkey. There were also official visits by the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Other responsibilities

The branch coordinated the memorial service conducted at Parliament House on 15 April 2005 for the victims of the Sea King helicopter disaster. CERHOS also coordinated a Parliament House reception on 20 June 2005 to acknowledge those involved in Australia’s relief response to two natural disasters: the Indian Ocean tsunamis of Boxing Day 2004 and the earthquake on Nias Island, Indonesia, on 28 March 2005.

The branch coordinated 97 airport facilitations for heads of state, heads of government and royalty transiting Australia. Airport facilitation, on arrival and departure, includes advising airport authorities and relevant agencies of flight details, and arranging for private and transit visit officers (PTVOs) or Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officers to meet the visitor and coordinate customs, immigration, quarantine and transport procedures.

Other notable tasks successfully performed by officers of the branch included logistic and hospitality arrangements for:

• the Council of Australian Governments meeting held at Parliament House on 3 June 2005
• state funerals held for the Hon Dr HA (Harry) Jenkins AM in Melbourne on 2 August 2004, and for the Hon AJ (Al) Grassby AM in Canberra on 29 April 2005
• the Australia Day reception held at The Lodge on 26 January 2005
• the Prime Minister’s annual cricket match held at Manuka Oval, Canberra, on 25 January 2005.

Provision of the official gifts function continued under the contract entered into on 1 November 2002 with Jaymac Promotional Advertising Pty Ltd, in association with Beaver Galleries, Canberra.