Australian Embassy

Zimbabwe

Address: 1 Green Close, Borrowdale, Harare - Telephone: +263 4 853 23 555 - Fax: +263 4 870 566

Welcome to The Australian Embassy

Welcome to the Australian Embassy in Harare. We hope you find this website useful and informative. We welcome Australians living in the area to contact the Embassy about our regular social events on zimbabwe.embassy@dfat.gov.au.

The Australian Embassy in Harare represents the people and Government of Australia in the countries of:

The Embassy and the Honorary Consulates provide a range of services to Australians living or visiting these countries.

Australian Federal Election

The Australian federal election will be held on Saturday 14 September 2013.

Early (in-person) voting will be offered at the Australian Embassy in Harare from Monday 2 September 2013. Election arrangements including voting times will be published on this page closer to the election. In the meantime, you can find information relating to being overseas at election time on the Australian Electoral Commission’s website www.aec.gov.au.

Register

All Australians travelling overseas, whether for tourism or business or for short or long stays, are encouraged to register with Smart Traveller, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

AusAID

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Zimbabwe office is also located at the Embassy.

Vacancies

There are currently no vacancies at the Australian Embassy in Harare. Please see Jobs at the Embassy for more details.

Latest News

Message from the Australian Ambassador

I am delighted to be here in Zimbabwe as Australian Ambassador. For me, this is an especially exciting appointment because I grew up in Africa – in Tanzania – as the son of Australian missionary parents. I have previously served in Kenya and as High Commissioner to Nigeria and Ghana and have undertaken academic work on Zimbabwe.

Australia is a robust democracy and a society built by people from many nations and races. It is that democracy which is the foundation of our prosperity. We wish the same for Zimbabwe. Many thousands of Zimbabweans, black and white, now live in Australia and I constantly meet Australians working here for Zimbabwe's development.

Since the formation of the Inclusive Government under the Global Political Agreement, the Australian Government has provided close to $100 million in official development assistance to Zimbabwe. This assistance has focused on critical development issues such as food security and agriculture, water and sanitation, health, education and economic growth. Australia will continue to provide support to the people of Zimbabwe as the political and economic situation in this country stabilises.

As we look to the future together, we are committed to working with Zimbabwe, as we do with other African nations, for a peaceful and prosperous future. Essential to that future are regular democratic elections which reflect the will of the people; an open economy which welcomes investment and recognises that successful companies and economies in the modern world are global in their ownership and enterprise; and a just society based on the rule of law where all people are free to express their opinions without fear of harassment.

Matthew Neuhaus, Ambassador

News Feed

Australia assists awareness raising activities of Breast Cancer Alleviation in Zimbabwe

8 May 2013
The Australian Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Shane Flanagan, presented a heavy duty printer to Breast Cancer Alleviation in Zimbabwe (BCAZ), funded through the Australian Embassy’s Direct Aid Program.

The printer will be used by BCAZ to raise awareness of breast cancer among communities and to assist in early intervention by providing advice about self-examination. Mr Flanagan said the Australian Embassy was pleased to support the excellent work undertaken by BCAZ, including through outreach to rural communities, to raise awareness across the country. He said that the Australian Embassy was pleased it had been associated with BCAZ since its inception in 2009, when it provided support for the printing of brochures and leaflets, and that it had again provided assistance for the purchase of a generator in 2011 for use during mobile outreach exercises.

Mr Flanagan paid tribute to the work of Dr Mandere, the founder of the association for his commitment to reducing the impact of breast cancer on families and communities throughout Zimbabwe.

Opening of successful Direct Aid Project at Mana Pools

On 27 April, Ambassador Matthew Neuhaus and Third Secretary Avigail Shai attended the hand over at Mana Pools National Park of a new clinic and community centre funded through the Australian Embassy’s Direct Aid Program.

The Mana Pools area has a very high incidence of malaria, bilharzia, skin infections, and bites and there are difficulties with maintaining adequate nutrition. It is very hard to get emergency cases out of the park due to the state of the road and transport limitations.

As a regular visitor of Mana Pools National Park, Dr Ken Jenkins has been tending to National Park staff and their families free of charge on a regular basis. Lynne Taylor, founder and director of The Tashinga Initiative Trust, has been involved in wildlife conservation related projects for years.

The Mana Pools project has been set up through combined efforts of the Tashinga Initiative Trust and Dr Ken Jenkins. With the Direct Aid Program funding, the old clinic building at the Mana Pools National Park Head Quarters, which was in a state of disrepair, has been rebuilt and refurbished and now serves as a fully operative community clinic and hall.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health are so impressed with what the project has achieved that it is examining the possibility of deploying medical personnel there on a posting. The Hall and Clinic will have additions such as furniture and curtains, and clinic equipment - with the funding largely raised by Dr Ken Jenkins.

ANZAC DAY 2013, HARARE

Ambassador’s Dedication
On this day, 98 years ago, thousands of young Australians and New Zealanders landed on the shores of Gallipoli in Turkey. My own great uncle the Reverend Vivian Gregg-MacGregor was among their number. Gallipoli was an unknown place far from our shores but today, because of them, it holds great significance in the hearts and history of our two great nations.

(all pictures by Jenny Ansley Photography)

picture: Jenny Ansley

We do not remember an invasion which went wrong or a military defeat, for that it was. What we recall is that these young people showed bravery and boldness, and established a tradition of selfless service in the face of adversity, of devotion to duty and of cheerful mateship which inspires our nations to this day.

We also remember that out of the pointlessness of war came the friendship that now exists between Australia and Turkey, which tends the graves of our fallen with the same care and devotion they show to their own. I welcome this evening the Turkish Ambassador who will join me in laying a wreath to our common dead.

We also remember very specially this year those who suffered and died at Hellfire Pass during the building of the Burma-Thailand Railway – one of the worst episodes to befall Australians in the Second World War. Once again our enemies in that war – Germany and Japan – are our great allies today.

As Australians and New Zealanders gather at home and abroad to mark Anzac Day we also remember those many brave individuals of our Armed Forces who have served our nations in peace and war, and continue to serve in peacekeeping activities around the globe.

Let us now dedicate ourselves with the same courage and steadfastness to work for the ideals for which those first Anzacs died.

Let us, with God’s help, give our utmost to make the world what they would have wished it to be, a better and happier place where war is no more.

And let us here in Zimbabwe commit ourselves to peace and reconciliation, regardless of race, background or belief, so that former enemies may embrace each other as brothers and sisters. Let us in silence remember all who have died so tragically and needlessly in conflict, and those who grieve for loved ones they have lost, and take comfort from the living spirit of the Anzacs.

Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Officially Opens Australia Awards Mining Resources Course In Harare

Australia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Matthew Neuhaus officially opened the introductory session of the Mining Resources: Sustainable Management of Revenue Flows course in Harare on 11 April 2013. The introductory workshop, held from 11 to 17 April, is the in-Africa component of a Mining Resources course delivered by the University of Sydney.

The short course is supported by Australia under the Australia Awards program whose objective is to develop the capacity and leadership skills of partners in Africa so they can contribute more effectively to development in their home countries. The pan-African program of development scholarships and fellowships offered 1,000 scholarships to eligible African professionals in 2012.

Recipients of Australia Awards taking part in this course were from Madagascar, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Taking advantage of the introductory course being held in Zimbabwe, additional participants were invited from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Ministry of Finance, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Australia has been working with the Government of Zimbabwe to improve revenue capture, providing the resources to improve services and development for all Zimbabweans. Australia gives aid for mining in recognition that the sector has considerable potential to help reduce poverty, accelerate human development and economic growth, and support progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.

Ambassador Neuhaus commended the steps being taken by African countries in promoting transparency and accountability in the mining sector, urging participants to take advantage of Australia’s expertise and experience in managing the sector and the wealth it creates.

“I am happy to note a number of African countries, and indeed some represented here, have started to take steps towards the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative standards. This has the potential benefit of ensuring natural resources benefit all citizens and not just a few people. Australia is honoured to be hosting the EITI Global Conference in May this year.”

The workshop was held at the ZIMRA Training Centre, which was refurbished with AusAID support in 2011. This was part of the capacity building support by Australia to ZIMRA, which since 2010 has seen staff receiving technical training and scholarships, and the strengthening of partnerships with the South African Revenue Service, African Tax Institute and World Customs Organisation.

The applied and formal components of the course will be delivered in Australia between May and June 2013.

Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme Celebrates a Notable Year

5 April 2013
Australian and local Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) are working together in Zimbabwe to enhance food security, reduce maternal and ante-natal related deaths and improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in Mashonaland East, Masvingo and Manicaland Provinces.

The 2011-12 Annual Report for the Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme (AACES) was released this month. The report shows how Australian Government support to NGOs in Africa has increased in recent years with a focus on helping improve peoples’ lives and delivering more opportunities to the most vulnerable and poor - especially women, children, people with disability and people vulnerable to disaster. The AACES program started in July 2011 and is being implemented in Zimbabwe by Community Technology Development Trust and Plan International Zimbabwe with Musasa and St Peters Community Care Program. Read more...

Friends of Zimbabwe, 2013 Communiqué

The Friends of Zimbabwe met in London on 26 March 2013, re-confirming our governments’ continued strong commitment to the Zimbabwean people and support for a prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe. Underlining our desire for engagement based on partnership, we were pleased that representatives from the Zimbabwe Government of National Unity parties and regional representatives joined us.

Read the complete communiqué

Minister for Foreign Affairs Australia, Senator the Hon. Bob Carr announces Roadmap for Lifting Sanctions on Zimbabwe

February 7, 2013
Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced a three-stage roadmap for the lifting of sanctions on Zimbabwe, including requirements for a credible constitutional referendum and the holding of free and fair elections.

Senator Carr made this announcement following the agreement in Zimbabwe last week on the text for a new draft constitution. “Zimbabwe’s reform process has been painfully slow,” Senator Carr said. “However, leaders such as Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai make the case for genuine progress in democratic reform, including during his visit to Australia in July 2012. “Australia will therefore review its sanctions and tie any reductions to the achievement of democratic norms.”

Under the Government’s three-stage roadmap, Australia will reduce sanctions when the following benchmarks are met:
• A date for the constitutional referendum is announced;
• A peaceful and credible constitutional referendum is held; and
• Free and fair elections take place and a democratically-elected government takes office.
Senator Carr said the lifting of sanctions was contingent upon continued political progress in Zimbabwe. Lifted sanctions could be reimposed if the process towards free and fair elections became derailed. The phased reduction of sanctions on Zimbabwe is consistent with approaches being pursued by the United States and the European Union. Australia’s current sanctions include travel and financial restrictions against 153 individuals and four entities, an arms embargo and prohibition on defence links.

Senator Carr also endorsed the positive role being played by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), especially South Africa, in facilitating efforts to return Zimbabwe to democracy.

Minister’s Office: +61 (0) 435 658 623

Australia contributes US$30 million to Zimbabwe to improve water and sanitation

Harare, February 6, 2013 – The Government of Australia today announced a contribution of US $30 million to Zimbabwe to improve water supply and sanitation in 14 small towns. The grant will support the Government of Zimbabwe to rehabilitate water and sanitation systems and promote improved hygiene practices.

Speaking at the launch of The Small Towns Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme in Harare on Wednesday, AusAID’s First Assistant Director-General Margaret McKinnon said “Australia is pleased that by continuing our partnership with Zimbabwe in the water and sanitation sector we will promote further improvements in health, well-being and economic development. This programme brings Australia’s total commitment to the Zimbabwean water and sanitation sector since 2009 to over $127 million. There are still many challenges, but with goodwill and joint work between partners in the field, significant progress is being made.”

Australia’s contribution of US$30 million will go towards the Small Towns Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme, which is expected to benefit 500,000 people, mostly women and children. The programme will run from 2012 to 2015 and will help to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by water-borne diseases. The grant will be administered through UNICEF and will benefit the towns of Bindura, Chipinge, Chiredzi, Chivhu, Gokwe, Gwanda, and Hwange. Others are Karoi, Mutoko, Mvurwi, Plumtree, Rusape, Shurugwi and Zvishavane

In accepting the donation, Minister of Water Resources, Development and Management Honourable Dr. Samuel Sipepa Nkomo said “the Australian Government has over the years demonstrated deep commitment to our work of providing safe water supply and sanitation to the people of Zimbabwe. As a Ministry we are continually inspired by the Australian Government’s dedicated investment in the country’s water resources management and for that I express my profound gratitude and appreciation for the US$30 million Small Towns grant”.

Local councils will play a key role in the administration of the small towns water and sanitation programme. Minister of Local Government, Rural, and Urban Development Honourable Dr. Ignatius Chombo promised his Ministry’s fullest support to the implementation of the programme.

“My Ministry is serious about service delivery and water and sanitation are the most basic of services,” he said.

The new small towns programme is modeled on the successes of a similar programme, the US $40 million Emergency Rehabilitation and Risk Reduction Programme which, following the cholera outbreak of 2009, has provided much-needed water and sanitation services to 4 million people in at least 20 urban councils, rural small towns and growth points.

“Australia’s financial contribution to Zimbabwe’s water and sanitation sector has played a key role in providing safe water and sanitation and thereby saving lives,” said UNICEF Representative Dr. Gianni Murzi. “It has also made the lives of children and women more bearable as they don’t have to walk long distances in search of water. This means they have more time to attend school and engage in economically productive activities.”

For information and interviews, please contact:
Butholezwe Nyathi, Ministry of Water Resources, Development and Management, Tel: +263 773 017 831; kgosinyathi@yahoo.com
Peter Lindenmayer, AusAID, Tel: +263 772 127 235, Peter.Lindenmayer@ausaid.gov.au
Victor Chinyama, UNICEF, Tel 263 772124268, vchinyama@unicef.org

Australian Consulate open for business in Lusaka

Australia and Zambia’s excellent relations will be further strengthened with the opening of an Honorary Consulate in Lusaka. The new Honorary Consul is Mr Saul Radunski, a leading Zambian/Australian businessman. The official opening, that took place on 29 January 2013 in Lusaka, will enhance contact and advance ties between the two countries.

Australia-Zambia bilateral relations are underpinned by warm people to people links and the growing trade and investment relationship, with several Australian companies pursuing a number of major projects in the mining sector. Australian investment in other sectors including housing and tourism is also growing at a rapid rate. Australia is also providing growing support to Zambia’s development needs including by building human capacity. Zambia has been highly successful in the competitive Australia Awards postgraduate scholarships program, with 35 successful scholarships winners announced last year. Australia is working in partnership with Germany to improve access to safe water and sanitation through support to Zambia’s 11 commercial utilities and technical assistance to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. Zambia is also a beneficiary of Australia’s Mining for Development and Food Security Programs.The Honorary Consulate will play an essential role in providing consular and passport services to Australians working in Zambia and visiting its beautiful tourist sites. Promoting trade and investment will also be a key focus of its activities. The Consulate will be open Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 17.00. Contact details as follows:

Australian Consulate
155 Kabulonga Road,
Kabulonga, Lusaka
Tel:+260 (211) 840 578 / 9 Cell: +260 966 731 073 Email: saul@milomax.co.za

Australia helps improve access to courts for families

The Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, H.E Matthew Neuhaus, bid farewell to a group of high level legal and political professionals travelling to Australia for an AusAID funded Fellowship Program. The group includes Deputy Minister Jessie Majome, Supreme Court President Justice Makarau and High Court Judge Antonia Guvava.

The visit is part of broader efforts to establish a Family Law Court in Zimbabwe, which will increase access to justice for disadvantaged groups. Australia has an established family law system that uses both formal and informal justice structures, and the visit will look at ways Zimbabwe can draw on the successes of this system.

The Fellowships have been provided through the AusAID Australia Awards in Africa, a pan-African program of development scholarships and fellowships that offered 1,000 postgraduate scholarships to African professionals in 2012. The Australian College of Law in partnership with the Family Court of Australia is the host organisation for this visit.

Briefing the group on departure, Australian Ambassador Matthew Neuhaus said he was delighted to see such a senior group of legal professionals heading off to Australia from Zimbabwe. "Achieving just outcomes, especially for women and children, in sensitive areas like family law is never easy. Australia has been a world leader in the development of family law and we believe its experience will be valuable for Zimbabwe. The visit follows on from the work done in Zimbabwe by Justice Benjamin from Australia, and will help strengthen the growing ties between Australia and Zimbabwe in this area."

Two successful Direct Aid Program projects highlighted

On 21 November 2012 Ambassador Matthew Neuhaus and Deputy Ambassador Shane Flanagan visited Kayalekera mine in Karonga, Northern Malawi, run by Paladin Energy Limited. Paladin has to date successfully implemented several projects under the Social Sustainability Management Plan (SSMP) in collaboration with different partners.

The Australian Embassy, through DAP, is currently funding one of the successful projects that has originated from the SSMP and is being spearheaded by FEPAC (Friends and Employees of Paladin for African Children).

A snapshot of the achievements from Paladin and FEPAC are the training of 80 teenagers in various trades, building and renovating classrooms, dining halls and dormitories, provision of safe drinking water to the school by drilling a borehole and provision of Braille machines and accessories for the visually impaired class.

The project currently funded through the DAP is the building and furnishing of 3 additional classrooms for the Karonga School for the Deaf.

In Zimbabwe the Embassy partnered with the JF Kapnek Trust to help children in Chegutu district by renovating and furnishing five Early Childhood Development (ECD) classrooms in Chimatira, Mutukwa, Chikore, Marowa and Gobvu Primary Schools. The Trust had been doing similar projects is other Districts in Mashonaland West Province.

On Wednesday 28 November, Second Secretary Ms Keara Shaw, Research Officer Charles Kavumbura from the Australian Embassy and the J F Kapnek team led by Dr Powell visited the five schools to officially hand over the project to the school authorities

Archived News Stories

Malawi Receives $39.6 Million from Australian Food Security Support

The German and Australian Governments have formed a partnership to support Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Solid Waste management in Bulawayo and other Small towns in Zimbabwe