Has the Northern Territory government provided any assistance to establish or operate any Consular Offices in Darwin in -

(a) 1991-92; and/or

(b) 1992-93 to date;

if so, what are the details of such assistance.

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ANSWER

The Northern Territory government does provide administrative assistance in the establishment of Honorary Consulate Offices in the Northern Territory. Such assistance is by way of providing government clearances for the establishment of a Consulate Office on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra. Upon the establishment of an Honorary Consulate, the Northern Territory government issues a free traffic licence and free registration for 1 vehicle to be used for official purposes by the Honorary Consul. The Northern Territory government does not provide any assistance in the day-to-day operations of the Consulate Office.

During 1991-92 3 Exequaturs were issued in respect of the Honorary Consulates for Norway, Greece and Italy. Similarly, during the financial year 1992-93 2 Exequaturs have been issued in respect of Honorary Consulates for France and Mexico.

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