Operational Notes and Media Arrangements

Media Advisory Note
(not for publication or broadcast)

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Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Coolum, Australia, 2-5 March 2002

Australian Government CHOGM Task Force External Communications Team

Accreditation

Access to media facilities will be available only to accredited media representatives. Accreditation is open to journalists, broadcasters, photographers, film and television camera crews and technicians. Applications for accreditation can be made on the attached form or on photocopies made from it. It can be submitted electronically by visiting the Internet at www.chogm2002.org

The Media Accreditation Application Form is on the CHOGM 2002 website (www.chogm2002.org) and can be printed directly from your web browser or downloaded as a PDF document. An original can also be posted to you by e-mailing chogm@commonwealth.int or fax +44 (0) 20 7839 9081 or e-mail helen.mathers@pmc.gov.au or telephone + 61 (0)7 3017 1400.

Your applications must be accompanied by a hard copy letter on original company letterhead indicating your role, signed by a Political Editor, Foreign or News Editor, Chief of Staff, or equivalent senior editor, confirming the applicant has been assigned to cover CHOGM 2002. You must also include 2 x passport-sized photographs (with your full name written in ballpoint pen on the reverse). If preferred, digital images in jpeg format (include full name in digital image file name) can be sent by e-mail to helen.mathers@pmc.gov.au

The application form, letter on original company letterhead and 2 x passport-sized photographs should be sent no later than 5pm Friday 1 February 2002 to:

For all media except those based in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific:

CHOGM Accreditation
Information and Public Affairs Division
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
Pall Mall
London SW1Y 5HX
United Kingdom

Telephone enquiries: +44 (0)20 7747 6385
Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
E-mail: chogm@commonwealth.int

Media based in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific should send their forms to:

Media Accreditation Coordinator
CHOGM Task Force
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
PO Box 3750
South Brisbane Business Centre QLD 4101

Telephone enquiries: +61 (0)7 3017 1400
Fax: +61 (0)7 3255 3066
E-mail: kim.douglas@pmc.gov.au

Applications for accreditation will be accepted only on receipt of the completed application form, the official authorisation letter on original company letterhead and the photographs (photographs may also be sent digitally).

Applications by fax will not be accepted as an official application for accreditation, but can be held until the receipt of the original documents.

Media Centre

A general work area will be provided in the Media Centre for journalists and photographers. The work area will be equipped with work desks, which will each have standard Australian power points where laptops and printers can be plugged in. Desktop PCs with Microsoft Office/Windows packages plus printers will also be available.

The PCs will provide free Internet and e-mail access (it is recommended you arrange an Internet account through your own provider prior to your arrival) and will share printers.

A limited number of power adaptors will be available at retail cost. You are, however, strongly urged to bring your own. Electrical sockets in Australia consist of 2 offset blades with 1 straight blade beneath. The power supply is 240V AC, 50Hz.

Telecommunications facilities (telephone, fax) will be provided. Telephones provided in the general work area will have Australian standard modem points. A charge card/PIN system for the payment of all telephone, modem and fax calls will be installed and there will be a limited number of payphones.

Television monitors will be placed throughout the Media Centre to relay messages, general information and transmit the Host Broadcaster Pool Channel.

Telephones

Telstra supplies all telephone services. If a media organisation wishes to order dedicated phones and lines, this needs to be indicated on the Media Accreditation Application Form.

Australian media organisations can choose to bill their services to existing accounts or new accounts. Any media organisation outside Australia needs to order their requirements through their local telecommunications company.

If a media organisation requires an OnRamp2 (ISDN) service, a separate OnRamp2 application form will need to be completed.

These application forms will be forwarded to the media organisation by the CHOGM Task Force when requested on the Media Accreditation Application Form.

Media Centre Opening Times

08.00am - 20.00pm Tuesday 26 - Thursday 28 Feb 2002

Open on a 24 hour basis 07.00am on Friday 1 March 2002 until
close of business on Tuesday 5 March 2002

Media Conferences

Scheduled daily briefings by the Conference Spokesperson, Joel Kibazo, and media conferences will take place in the Media Centre.

Media Centre Facilities

A welcome desk, main and supplementary briefing rooms, a business centre, work area, broadcast centre and a media lounge will operate throughout the meeting period.

Media Coverage & Pools

Executive sessions at CHOGM are closed to the media. There will be some opportunities for still photographers and TV cameras (with no sound) to photograph/video inside the Conference Room before the start of each session. This will be on a limited pool basis. Pools will also be established for other activities, such as the Spouses' Program.

Aside from official press conferences hosted by the Secretary-General or the Australian Prime Minister as Chairman of the CHOGM, other opportunities will made for media, on invitation, to cover bilateral meetings or press conferences held by individual leaders within the CHOGM precincts.

Host broadcast crews and official photographers will be in every pool. Their video, sound (when permitted) and images will be made available to all accredited media.

Media coverage of Heads of Government arriving at airports in Australia will be restricted. Video and images of the official welcome at Maroochydore Airport, taken by host broadcast crews and official photographers, will be available in the Media Centre.

Television & Radio

The host broadcaster will provide television coverage of pool opportunities during CHOGM. Pictures will be fed on the Pool Channel and will be available for recording and editing by broadcasters at the Media Centre. Radio facilities will also be established and radio suites will be available. Radio and television suites will be available for booking.

A standard range of library audio and video file and pool material will be available on a complimentary basis.

Additional services to be provided at commercial rates include:

• Tape dubbing
• Hire of ENG crews
• Play out facilities (Digital & SP Betacam)
• Edit Suite facilities
• Satellite Transmission

For further details on broadcasting, equipment rental and booking of sound and editing suites please contact:

Leeann Cole
Broadcast Services
CHOGM 2002 Task Force
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
PO Box 3750
South Brisbane Business Centre QLD 4101

Telephone enquiries: + 61 (0)7 3017 1400
Fax: + 61 (0)7 3255 3066
E-mail: leeann.cole@pmc.gov.au

News Agencies

News Agencies wanting to book private office space or requiring additional information on agency facilities should contact Michelle Bartlett, Media Operations Manager, CHOGM 2002 Task Force at michelle.bartlett@pmc.gov.au

As space is limited, media organisations are kindly requested to book early. Space will be provided on a first come, first served basis.

Accomodation

Recommended accommodation agencies are listed below.

All accommodation bookings are the sole responsibility of the applicant/media organisation.

Arrival

Brisbane Airport is located 20-30 minutes from the centre of Brisbane and one and a half hour's drive from Coolum. Transport from the airport to the city is available in the form of hire car, taxis, shuttle buses and a train link. (An average taxi fare to the centre of Brisbane ranges from AUD$20 to AUD$25.)

Maroochydore Airport is located 15 minutes from the centre of Coolum and approximately 12 minutes from the Hyatt Regency Coolum. Transport from the airport is available in the form of hire car, taxis and shuttle buses. There are direct flights to Maroochydore from Sydney.

Further information can be provided by contacting pallas.knight@pmc.gov.au

Passports & Visas

Citizens of the following country require no visa:
New Zealand

Media representatives attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting must hold a valid visa to enter Australia.

There is a range of short-stay business visas suitable for media representatives. Some are free, and are issued electronically through some travel agents and airlines. Other visas are available through Australian diplomatic missions.

Media representatives attempting to enter Australia on tourist visas with the intention of working during CHOGM risk being refused entry into Australia.

For more information on the appropriate visa for your trip, contact the nearest Australian Consulate or your travel agent, or see the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs website, www.immi.gov.au A full list of visa offices and their contact details is available on this site.

For a list of Australian Embassies and Consulates, see the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website, www.dfat.gov.au

Applications should be made at least one month before you plan to travel.

Members of the media from New Zealand are exempted from visa requirements and need not apply for visas.

Australia is represented in the following Commonwealth Countries:

*Denotes countries that use ETA - Electronic Travel Authority, where visas can be obtained directly through the travel agent or airline when booking your travel.

Applicants in countries where Australia does not have a Diplomatic or Consular mission may submit their visa applications to their nearest representative as listed below:

NOTE: The above information has been provided by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in Canberra.

Health Requirements

Australia has no vaccination requirements except for persons who have been in a country infected by Yellow Fever, as listed in the Weekly Epidemiological Record of the World Health Organisation, within six days of arrival in Australia. For such cases, a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever is required.

Yellow Fever certificates are required by anyone travelling from or through Yellow Fever areas designated by the World Health Organisation.

Customs Clearance

Incoming Passenger Cards for Customs, Immigration and Quarantine clearance should be completed in advance for presentation with other documents to the authorities.

Accredited media bringing technical equipment into Australia for coverage of CHOGM 2002 should apply for an ATA Carnet.

The ATA Carnet is a simplified Customs procedure for the temporary admission and subsequent export of goods into Australia.

The benefits of an ATA Carnet are convenience, speed and forward planning flexibility in that:

• The one ATA Carnet covers any number of goods. (All goods must be specified on the Carnet at time of issue.)

ATA Carnets are usually obtainable from the Chamber of Commerce in the exporting country; however, at the time of entry of the goods, there are still some procedures to be completed:

• The goods must be declared and checked against the Carnet by officers at the port of entry.
• If carried in hand luggage, they should be declared to Customs at the airport.
• If these goods are being imported as freight, this would be done at the freight depot via an appointment.

While ATA Carnets are a convenient method for temporary importation, some countries may not be signatories to the Carnet system. Therefore, a single security to cover the temporary importation can be lodged by the individual importers on arrival in Australia. They should be able to supply Australian Customs Authorities with a detailed inventory of their equipment, including serial numbers and value, as well as provide evidence that they are travelling to Australia to cover CHOGM 2002.

This requirement does not apply to journalists carrying laptop computers or similar small equipment, which should merely be declared on arrival.

For more information, please contact the Customs Information Centre on
tel: +61 2 6275 6666 or e-mail - information@customs.gov.au.

The above information has been provided and approved by the Australian Customs Service in Canberra.

Important

All persons entering Australia remain subject to Australian Customs Regulations. Visitors to Australia may bring in goods for their personal use. The following consumable goods may be imported without payment of customs duty or Goods and Services Tax:

• AUD$400 worth of goods not including alcohol and tobacco;
• most personal items such as new clothing, footwear and articles for personal hygiene/grooming;
• 250 cigarettes, or 250gms of cigars or tobacco products;
• 1125mL alcoholic liquor (including wine, beer or spirits).

Any additional consumable goods of the same type are fully dutiable.

For further details, contact your nearest Australian Diplomatic or Consular Mission.

Prohibited Imports and Exports

The import and export of certain goods are prohibited or restricted to protect health and Australia's unique natural environment. Prohibited items include:

unlicensed drugs, offensive weapons, firearms, animals, animal products, live birds, meat, vegetable matter, plants and plant products.

This list is not comprehensive. For full details of current Australian requirements, please contact your nearest Australian Diplomatic Mission or visit the following web sites:

http://www.customs.gov.au

http://www.aqis.gov.au

For the location of the nearest Australian diplomatic mission consult the website;

http://www.dfat.gov.au

Banking & Currency

The Australian dollar is the unit currency of Australia, and is divided into 100 cents.

Commercial banks, hotels and international airports have facilities for exchanging most internationally recognised currencies and traveller's cheques.

In addition, banks have cash dispensing machines, which accept major international credit cards. Similarly, most hotels, restaurants and shops accept major credit cards.

Taxes, Customs and Excise

The current rate of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 10 percent. This is charged on most goods and services except items purchased duty-free at international airports.

On presentation of the goods and tax invoices, GST and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) may be reclaimed at international airports. Details on the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) and how the system operates can also be obtained at the websites:

http://www.immi.gov.au and

http://www.customs.gov.au

Time

The time in Brisbane is GMT/UTC + 10 hours. (Daylight saving time is not observed in Queensland).

We look forward to welcoming you to Australia to cover CHOGM 2002.