http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins Information about general issues or specific events which may affect Australian travellers. en foreign; affairs; trade; diplomacy; australia; international; treaties; diplomatic; economy corporateName: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade corporateName: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Collection Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2005 Global daily 4 2004-01-01T12:00+11:00 http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins http://www.dfat.gov.au/lib/images/dfat_logo_small.gif http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Passport New passport application forms were introduced on 1 July 2008. 2008-10-02T05:18:38Z 2008-05-08T05:02:51Z 2008-10-02T05:18:38Z 2008-10-02T05:18:38Z http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Contaminated_dairy_products The Chinese government has announced that traces of a chemical contaminant, melamine, have been found in a number of products and may be linked to cases of renal (kidney) problems in infants. A Chinese Health Ministry official has reported the number of infants affected by contaminated product produced in China has risen to nearly 40,000 cases. The Chinese government has issued recalls for infant formula from 22 companies after tests turned up traces of melamine. 2008-09-26T07:16:08Z 2008-09-23T08:12:14Z 2008-09-26T07:16:08Z 2008-09-26T07:16:08Z http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Commemorative_services_for_the_2002_and_2005_bombings_in_Bali. This travel bulletin provides advice to Australians who would like to attend commemorative services in Bali, Indonesia, to mark the sixth anniversary of the 12 October 2002 bombings and the third anniversary of the 1 October 2005 bombings. 2008-09-12T07:41:32Z 2008-09-12T07:41:32Z 2008-09-12T07:41:32Z 2008-09-12T07:41:32Z http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Hurricanes Tropical cyclones often produce winds in excess of 200 km/h, causing extensive damage to property and turning debris into dangerous missiles. They can also bring flooding rains and storm tides which cause further damage to property and increase the risk of drowning. Cyclones can cause huge seas, putting vessels in danger both in harbour and out at sea. Most deaths from cyclones occur as a result of drowning, collapsed buildings, mudslides or flying debris which becomes lethal in high winds. 2008-09-05T02:12:10Z 2006-09-15T06:54:56Z 2008-09-05T02:12:10Z 2008-09-05T02:12:10Z http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/ACT Electors enrolled in the ACT who are visiting or residing overseas are advised the ACT Legislative Assembly Election will be held on Saturday 18 October 2008. 2008-08-18T07:15:33Z 2008-08-18T07:15:33Z 2008-08-18T07:15:33Z 2008-08-18T07:15:33Z http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Chad-Security_Situation Australians are strongly advised not to travel to Chad because of the volatile security situation and ongoing violent civil unrest and the threat of terrorism. The situation could deteriorate further without warning. Chad 2008-06-17T08:32:38Z 2006-05-02T04:36:44Z 2008-06-17T08:32:38Z 2008-06-17T08:32:38Z http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Film A film made by Dutch politician Geert Wilders was released in late March. 2008-06-11T07:21:20Z 2008-03-12T03:40:20Z 2008-06-11T07:21:20Z 2008-08-27T01:01:00Z http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Health_:_Avian_Influenza 2008-05-16T06:19:06Z 2004-07-21T00:22:36Z 2008-05-16T06:19:06Z 2008-06-24T00:35:27Z http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/International_Scams Commercial and internet fraud is prevalent and often originates outside Australia. Many scammers approach you out of the blue pretending to be legitimate banks or businesses. Genuine organisations dont usually contact you out of the blue and ask for passwords or account numbers. Scams have a devastating financial and emotional impact on many Australians. Once money is sent overseas it is virtually impossible to recover. 2008-03-05T00:38:15Z 2008-03-05T00:38:15Z 2008-03-05T00:38:15Z 2008-03-05T00:38:15Z http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Europe_Schengen Australians are advised that only the country you plan to visit can provide up-to-date information about its specific visa requirements. Travellers should contact the nearest High Commission, Embassy or Consulate of the countries they plan to visit well in advance of travel. 2007-12-20T22:02:24Z 2002-03-20T09:31:02Z 2007-12-20T22:02:24Z 2008-04-23T04:48:42Z http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Enhanced_Airport_Security Following a reported foiled terrorist plot on 10 August 2006 against flights from the United Kingdom to the United States, aviation security authorities around the world have enhanced security procedures at their airports and limited what passengers can carry in hand luggage. 2007-01-22T01:24:39Z 2006-08-11T07:30:35Z 2007-01-22T01:24:39Z 2008-05-26T07:29:22Z http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Helping_to_Fight_Child_Sex_Crimes_Abroad It is a criminal offence to have sexual relations with children, whether in Australia or in another country. 2003-12-02T22:37:46Z 2003-12-02T22:37:46Z 2003-12-02T22:37:46Z 2003-12-02T22:37:46Z