"unfortunately although the media have managed to get into New Orleans, the American administration won't allow any government officials to go in. Now we've said, well, if the media can go in, why can't government officials go in, and we might more easily be able to round up the Australians and get them out? And they're insistent that it's their responsibility, the Americans' responsibility to take everybody out."

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/transcripts/2005/050903_ds.html

TONY EASTLEY: The Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has heard what the Australian families have had to say, and he's defended officers from his department who've been accused of incompetence.

ALEXANDER DOWNER: .. the situation here is a very difficult situation where the Australian and British and Canadians and others have been refused consular access to New Orleans
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2005/s1453241.htm