A GREENS senator who requested consular assistance so he could go on a madcap one-man mission to West Africa and sort out the ebola epidemic has had the plan scuttled by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. In an expedition almost channelling that of 19th century African explorer Dr David Livingstone, Dr Richard Di Natale wanted Ms Bishop to order the Australian High Commission in Ghana to chauffeur him around Africa and organise meetings with the World Health Organisation. Instead he was advised it was too dangerous to go and told to get health insurance if he chose to go against government advice. In a letter obtained by The Daily Telegraph, Ms Bishop said she would not spread the High Commission staff thin for a one-man “fact finding” mission to ebola-stricken Africa, writing that: “Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia and staff from the Australian High Commission in Ghana have deferred all non-essential travel to these countries. “If staff were directed to travel to these countries, it would divert scarce resources from the High Commission in Ghana, which is on the frontline of Australia’s ebola response.’’ Australia’s official government travel advisory for Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia — the countries hit in an outbreak which has killed more than 5000 — is to “reconsider their need to travel” which is the second-highest travel warning. The Victorian-based Dr Di Natale has previously worked as a GP and public health specialist. He has also assisted with the treatment of HIV in Asia. Dr Di Natale had planned to privately fund the trip but wanted government officials to organise most of the official aspects of his visit. “Meetings with representatives from the World Health Organisation, the United Nations co-ordinating team and NGOs would simply not be possible without consular assistance,” Dr Di Natale said last week. Australia has committed $42 million to fight ebola, including running a 100-bed hospital in Sierra Leone, where the WHO on Wednesday new infections were surging. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been cautious about sending Australians to Africa because their safety cannot be guaranteed. Ms Bishop said Australia was monitoring the ebola situation closely. Without consular assistance, Dr Di Natale is unlikely to proceed. “You should ensure your travel insurance will cover healthcare and/or evacuation for ebola,’’ Ms Bishop advised.
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