The Consul: An insider account from Australia's diplomatic frontline

by Ian Kemish

An absorbing insider’s account of leadership and service within Australia’s Consular service, through tumultuous events including the September 11 attacks, the Bali bombings and the Boxing Day Tsunami.

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 the political sensitivities of repatriating Australians abroad. This timely and engaging book also asks us to consider how world events have changed the way we travel now and in the future.

Genres: Australia, Nonfiction, Politics

280 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2022

Reviews

[Ron Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first heard of this book in an interview with Ian Kemish on Radio National. He sounded like a very decent person. The embassy and consulate staff played a crucial role in Australia’s foreign relations and in the assistance of Australians overseas. They often face undue criticism when citizens get into difficult situations, often of their own making. Finally, DFAT has suffered crucial cuts in funding over the last decade while military funding is sacrosanct and seen by conservatives as more worthwhile than diplomacy.
If new reports are the first draft of history, then books like this are the second draft.
Kemish takes us on a journey through foreign situations and people that have played a role in the political development of the world over his time in DFAT. Kay and Kerry Stanes and their imprisonment in Laos, Schapelle Corby in Bali, Peter Greste in Egypt and most recently Kylie Moore-Gilbert in Iran (see her memoir, “The Uncaged Sky. My 804 Days in an Iranian Prison”, highly recommended.) Kemish also writes about the Australians caught up in the post 9/11 turmoil, David Hicks, Mamdouh Habib and several others… He doesn’t discuss the Australian Government’s support of the American policies towards the treatment of these Australian citizens and the legal quagmire that the Americans created for themselves. I thought it was considerate and pertinent that he named every Australian killed in the 9/11 attacks.
He touches on a number of other well-known incidents where Australians were caught up in serious situations and the consulate supported these citizens. He does mention the stupidity of some Australians when travelling and he briefly mentions citizens with mental health issues who can come unstuck in the occasional stresses of foreign travel.
Naturally Kemish is guarded in his comments on political aspects of his job. He is the archetypal diplomat when mention his political bosses. He has positive things to say about Howard, Rudd, Gillard, Downer, Smith, and most of all Julie Bishop. In fact, he refers to her as Julie. Incidents involving the egregious diplomat come prime minister, Tony Abbot are passed over. His “shirt fronting” Putin and his inflammatory comments about the execution of Sukuraman and Chan, members of the Bali Nine are mentioned briefly.
He gives extensive coverage of Bali bombing, that cataclysmic event which became a epiphanous incident in the history of the consulate service. Kemish is most respectful and concerned for the families of the victims. He takes criticism of DFAT on the chin. Everyone from DFAT that we meet in this book are extremely competent and professional. I guess there were some failures, but we never get to meet them. .
Kemish was at the cutting edge of Australian consulate activities when Australians are involved in major disasters overseas. He mentions a few.
There is veiled criticism of recent government’s (read LNP) fixation on funding soldiers and spies and their rapacious cuts to our diplomatic service.
This is not a detailed analysis of Australia’s foreign policy decision of the last two decades and Kemish is the true diplomat in everything that he writes.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concept behind this book didn't sound very exciting, but as I got into it I found the subject to be absorbing. The Australian consultate service has undergone enormous change in recent years in line with the needs created by such a changing world, such as disasters and the massive increase in te number of Australians on the move to international destinations. Australian travellers seek the support of the Australian consular service, although author Ian Kemish does make the point (a bit too often in my opinion), that it is not the role of the service to book airline tickets, lend money, buy opera tickets or provide accomodation to broke Australian travellers, it fact it is hard to comprehend that there are some fellow countrymen who woud make such absurd requests. The case history of the work undertaken by the DFAT officers to support the victims or the Bali bombing and their families is worth the price of this book alone. It is detailed and shows how good the service is when it is under pressure and its capacity to keep honing their crisis management skills. In that context (as in many other examples) this book gives us the story behind the story. The author had the stated intention of showing that the the consultate service is not a bunch of gin and tonic swiling loafers living the high life on the taxpayer in luxurous locations around the world and I would say that he has succeeded in his objective.

[David Allwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book is, ‘An Insiders account from Australia’s Diplomatic frontline’, which implies the exotic excitement of an international James Bond embroiled in international existential intrigue. Perhaps, however, a more accurate subtitle might have been, ‘a mid-level bureaucrat retells some well-known tragedies with no new insights and ultimately gets promoted’. ‘The Consul’ meanders through the last thirty-odd years of the career of public servant, Ian Kemish. Unfortunately, the writing style is that of a dry formal government report for no particular audience. Between trying not to contravene any secrecy acts while providing complete respect and loyalty to his colleagues, his clients, and the government, the author has drained all interest and pacing from his writing, and blandly revisits the stories of recent well-worn international tragedies, most of which he was not even directly involved. Avoid this book, and just watch the news.

[Blake · Rating 2 out of 5]

An vaguely interesting peek into the workings of Australia’s consular corps if that’s what you’re interested in, but otherwise a rather indulgent retelling of Australia’s few consular wins (the Bali bombings) while glossing over a lot of failings (won’t you feel sorry for the quarantine-exempt diplomatic corps during COVID, sucks if you were a citizen overseas I guess). Another reviewer mentioned it’s written in rather dry, bureaucratic language and I have to agree. If you’re especially interested in how things happen behind the scenes this might be worth it but otherwise at best it doesn’t reveal anything new, and at worst it waffles on an awful lot. I didn’t finish it and wouldn’t recommend it despite a heavy interest in foreign affairs.

[Pauleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a fascinating insight into the workings and contribution of Australia’s consular services. The challenges faced by the staff on the front line was sobering with reminders of many key international events over the decades. Well worth reading.

[Andrew Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Ian, KimIsh provide us with a front row seat of the activities and challenges that are faced by the men and women within Australia’s consular services.

Ian provides the reader, with interesting antidotes about his life within the service, and some of the high profile situations that he had his team have had to react to during his time in the service.

This is a fascinating read, which allows the reader to draw comfort in the knowledge that they are well looked after by Australia, Consular services when overseas.

[SB · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute page turner. A behind the scenes view into the life of a diplomat. Expectations of citizens being balanced with governments at home and abroad with a mix of geopolitical events and sensitivities. When is the movie coming out?

[Sari Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Written by an Australian Ambassador the book details the departments response to world events. As an American, I found the perspective fascinating. He is also brutally honest re success, mistakes, and failures.

[Barbara Jackson]

It was an intereting well written book. I can recommend it to anyone interested in diplomacy and foreign affairs.

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

the anecdotes were done nicely

[Jen J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ian Kemish held a number of diplomatic positions including High Commissioner and Ambassador then as Head of the consular service in Canberra. His reflections on this service, including reponse to the 2002 Bali bombings and September 11 attacks, are well told and provide insight into the essential work that this department does, largely unknown and unrecognised. An educational journey.

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into the world of oft unsung heroes.