As head of Australia’s consular service, Ian Kemish played a central role in the nation’s response to some of the most dramatic events of the early twenty-first century, including the September 11 attacks and the Bali bombings. He led the small band of Australian consuls as they confronted the new challenges of global jihadism, supporting families who lost loved ones, and negotiated the release of Australians unjustly detained abroad.
In The Consul, Kemish offers a unique and personal perspective on Australia’s foreign affairs challenges of the last two decades, from hostage diplomacy to natural disasters and evacuations from war zones. This timely and engaging book also asks us to consider how world events have changed the way we travel now and in the future.
Foreword by Julie Bishop
'Arbitrary detention risks here to stay' - Crikey
'Why Papua New Guinea urgently needs to elect more women to parliament' - The Conversation
'Key to Pacific relationship is education: ours, not theirs' - The Sydney Morning Herald
'What happens when things go wrong for Australians overseas?' - ABC Saturday Extra
'Hostage diplomacy in Xi’s China' - The Australian
'The future of Australian diplomacy in the Pacific' - National Security podcast
