Location Yarralumla, Canberra Website Official website | High Commissioner Menna Rawlings CMG Phone +61 2 6270 6666 | |
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Address Commonwealth Ave, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Australia Similar Embassy of the United States of, Departme of Foreign Affairs an, New Zealand High Co, Embassy of the People's, Singapore High Commissi Profiles | ||
The High Commission of the United Kingdom in Canberra is the chief diplomatic mission of the United Kingdom in Australia. It is located on Commonwealth Avenue along with the High Commissions of New Zealand and Canada in the Yarralumla suburb. The current High Commissioner is Menna Rawlings who was appointed in 2015.
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History
Despite Britain's close relationship with Australia, there was only a High Commissioner from London appointed in 1936. Prior to 1936, the Governor-General of Australia was the official representative of the British government, as well as the crown.
In the early years, the British Government rented premises for the High Commissioner and for the High Commission offices. The British High Commission Chancery building was built in 1952 at the same time as Westminster House, the High Commissioner’s official residence at 76 Empire Circuit, Deakin. The northern wing extension to the High Commission was completed in 1960. The Chancery and residence cost a quarter of a million pounds – an enormous amount in those days. The British High Commission building may seem comparatively modest when compared with some of the more lavish Embassy buildings in Canberra. However, at the time it was built, Britain was recovering from the devastating economic burden of the Second World War and needed to restore its own bomb-ravaged cities.
In late 1995 through until early 1997, the High Commission underwent a major refurbishment programme. A well-known local firm, Mitchell/Guirgola & Thorp Architects, was engaged to undertake the design work associated with the refurbishment work. The architects previously won the competition to design the New Parliament House in Canberra. Although the interior of the building was almost entirely refurbished, the building’s white rendered walls and regular window spacing were retained.
Functions
The High Commissioner's tasks are to present British policies to the Australian Government and to Australians, to report and explain Australian policies and views to the British Government in London, and to promote British interests. The High Commissioner coordinates the political, commercial and public affairs activities of the British Government in Australia and is in daily contact with Australian Ministers and officials.
Outside Canberra, there are British Consulates-General in Sydney and Melbourne where the senior officer is known as the Consul-General. There are also Consulates in Perth and Brisbane. The duties of the Consuls-General and Heads of Post in the Consulates relate to the promotion of trade and investment between Britain and Australia. They also keep the High Commissioner in touch with political, economic and other developments in the States and Territories. In addition, the Consulates-General and Consulates provide consular assistance to British nationals who live in, or are visiting, their consular district.
The High Commission also represents the British Overseas Territories in Australia.