Time to act on Australians abroad

The organisation, largely run by volunteers and corporate donations, has held more than 150 events across the United States and has provided services to Austrade, Invest Australia, Tourism Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, several Australian universities and research institutes and Australian state governments.

Among a broad range of programs some of the more successful activities have included: forming a network of more than 400 scientists and researchers of Australian origin in the US to stimulate research collaboration with Australian institutions; bringing together 20 Australian Professors in Harvard and MIT to work on identifying ways to harness this asset and create benefits for Australia; and establishing professional networks across a range of sectors, including academic, media arts and entertainment, entrepreneurs and investors, financial services, hospitality and tourism, life sciences, property services, technology and public interest.

Advance, like more than 660 other individuals or organisations, made a detailed submission to the Senate Inquiry into Australian expatriates to outline our approach, activities and successes.

But most importantly, we sought to demonstrate and recommend the next course of action that needs to be taken to engage Australians abroad.

Specifically, governments at all levels in Australia need to adopt policies and programs that:

• make better use of Australians abroad by encouraging and using them as ambassadors for Australian business, scientific and cultural interests, trade development;
• encourage Australians abroad to contribute to Australia’s economic, social and cultural development through participating in formalised networks, partnerships and programs;
• ensure Australia remains an attractive destination for the world’s professionals;
• encourage Australian professionals working abroad to return home and remove obstacles to their return;
• establish an annual dialogue between expatriate business leaders and senior political and business figures in Australia;
• improve communication with Australians leaving the country;
• support established networks of Australians abroad to provide mentoring, professional development and promotional activities; and 
• work to change negative perceptions of Australians abroad through recognising the ambassadorial roles they play and celebrating the achievements of Australians living and working abroad. 

The Australian Government would do well to learn from, and act on, the recent reports and inquiries and from our experience.