Mr Graeme Meehan

Mr Meehan is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Head of Post, Consulate-General, Shanghai. He has previously served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Beijing; Deputy Head of Post, Australian Representative Office, Taipei; and Counsellor, Australian Embassy, Beijing.

In Canberra Mr Meehan has served as Assistant Secretary, East Asia Branch; Deputy Head, China Free Trade Agreement Taskforce; and Director, Asia Section, International Division, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Mr Meehan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Melbourne. He speaks Russian and Chinese.
 

Sentencing of Alexei Navalny

03 February 2021

Australia is deeply concerned by Russian authorities’ arrest and subsequent sentencing of Alexei Navalny to two years and eight months’ imprisonment. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) concluded that Mr Navalny’s 2014 conviction, which was used as grounds for his current detention, was “unlawful” and “politically motivated”. We call for Mr Navalny’s immediate and unconditional release.

Australia is also concerned by the approach of Russian authorities against peaceful protesters and journalists detained in recent weeks. We call for their release without delay. Australia supports all peoples’ right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

We reaffirm a call for Russia to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into Alexei Navalny’s poisoning using the banned Novichok nerve agent last August.

The health and safety of Australians overseas is our highest priority. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including measures put in place by local authorities, changes have been made to our services.  These changes are intended to protect you (our clients), our staff and the wider community.

APPOINTMENTS 

At this time we are not taking any routine passport or notarial appointments until further notice. Please continue to monitor our website and twitter for updates, and book an appointment with us once we resume our standard services.

If you require an Emergency Passport or other emergency services, please email us at [email protected] describing your circumstances or call on +7 495 956 6070 (during business hours).We will continue to prioritise consular services to those in genuine need.

If you require urgent consular assistance during business hours (9am - 5pm Monday to Friday), please contact us  on +7 495 956 6070. Contact details of our Honorary Consulates in St Petersburg and Almaty are also available here. Outside business hours, please contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 62613305. 

Please subscribe for updates and monitor our official travel advice on Smartraveller website.

 

TEMPORARY CAPS

There are caps on the numbers of passengers coming into Australian airports from overseas. These measures will remain in place until further notice.

This could affect your flight into Australia. If you’re scheduled to fly home to Australia in the coming weeks, confirm your itinerary and travel plans with your airline or travel agent.

Please note that we can’t provide you with approval/a letter for the airline to bring you back to Australia. Airlines determine how they will manage the temporary caps in place. The decision of who is given a seat on a flight is entirely for the airlines.

If you have further questions about the flight caps, please contact your Australian state or territory government.

 

NEW MEASURES FOR RETURN TO AUSTRALIA

All Australia bound travellers, including children aged 5 years and older must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result (in English), taken 72 hours or less prior to boarding your flight. More information can be found on Smartraveller website.

Masks must be worn on all international flights, including at airports. 

Anyone who has a negative test result and enters Australia must still complete mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities in your port of arrival.

Travellers to Australia should complete the Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before departure for Australia. More information can be found here

Frequently asked questions on these new measures can be found here:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for international travellers (Department of Health)
• Frequently asked questions – international passengers (Department of Health)
• Frequently asked questions – international airlines operating to Australia (Department of Health)

 

REGISTERING YOUR DETAILS

We recommend that you register with the  global online Citizen Registration System.

Registration doesn’t guarantee DFAT can facilitate your return to Australia. However it does help us to better understand who is seeking to return home and how we can be most effective in helping. Please still continue to monitor commercial/regular flights options once/if they become available.

To ensure that your details are added to the global database and that you receive the most up to date information and alerts on flights from us, please follow these steps to self-register:

1. Click on the link:  https://covid19.dfat.gov.au/citizeninformation/s/

2. Select 'Register' and fill out your details.

3. Once you complete your name and email address, you'll be asked to confirm your email address by clicking on the link sent to your email. 

4. You'll then be asked to create a password for your registration and fill out the remaining  details.

5. Once you complete and save your registration, you'll be able to add your family members by clicking on 'Add an Additional Traveller'

6. Once all the registration records are complete and saved, please click on 'Submit and Logout'

Please provide as much detail as possible and describe your circumstances in the ‘Additional Information’ section of your registration. Should your circumstances change, please update your record.  Ensure that you check your online registration often to ensure it is up to date. To find out more, read our Registration FAQs.

Please subscribe for updates and monitor our official travel advice on Smartraveller website.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) – information for Australian travellers can be found here
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) - information on financial support from the government can be found here
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)- information on entry into Australia can be found here
• Coronovirus (COVID-19)-  information from the Department of Health can be found here

 

The new Smartraveller website has been launched.

Smartraveller has the latest, authoritative travel advice so you can be informed and prepared about overseas travel.

Subscribe to receive travel advice updates - by simply supplying your name and email address – straight to your inbox.

You can now also subscribe to the new SMS service - by supplying your mobile number – to receive critical alerts in the event of a crisis overseas.

In a crisis, Smartraveller will activate a crisis page on its website. It will make it easier for you or someone you know to contact the Australian Government if you need help. It will supplement the consular emergency hotline.

Visit www.smartraveller.gov.au to subscribe or connect with Smartraveller on Facebook and Twitter.

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