The concept of projecting Australia's soft power through an Australia Council deserves further investigation and support. This is especially true in the light of austerity measures at DFAT and the need to focus on delivering collective impact through strategic partnerships, co-investment and much greater use of e-diplomacy. At the moment, some of the functions of the Australia Council are performed by University research centres, think tanks and by diasporas who act as citizen diplomats and as a human bridge between Australia and the world.

Australia needs to develop a comprehensive, customised and integrated soft power strategy. This would be done in partnership with key stakeholders who could co-invest in impact oriented activities though cash and in-kind contributions. The United Macedonian Diaspora certainly supports such a strategy and outcomes focused model of operation.

Have researched, discussed and dealt with the BC directly and indirectly over the years, while also knowing that Australia's best marketing assets should be returned overseas students and alumni.

Knowing that the major cost for widespread offshore education and cultural centres are rent and salaries (plus politics, conflict of interest and empire building), I would suggest a well designed Australian based multilingual web portal is more realistic, effective and practical.

This can be complemented by direct marketing and promotion (e.g. to alumni, education sector and arts) when needed, and e.g. Australian tv content packages (at reduced rates) for mainstream tv/cable/satellite, dittto music for radio etc..

As observed in Europe, when a physical Australian education and/or cultural centre opens, it tends to attract more attention and visits from Australians working for related institutions.......

To include football in education is the clearest indicator yet that those in charge of the education system don't have the right mentality unless perhaps they link it with Darwinism i.e.. Man came from the Ape & is now reverting back.