AS Schapelle Corby awaits final approval for parole and members of the Bali 9 face the death penalty, Australia's new Foreign Minister has taken a hard line approach to Australians breaking the law overseas.

Speaking about consular affairs for the first time since taking over the portfolio, Julie Bishop urged Australians travelling overseas they need to take responsibility for their own actions.

"There are circumstances where Australians must take responsibility for their own conduct overseas,'' she said.

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Ms Bishop said the government has a responsibility to help Aussies when they're caught up in disasters or political turmoil abroad. But she warned Australians cannot count on the Federal Government to bail them out if they get into trouble.

"There are circumstances where Australians must take responsibility for their own conduct overseas,'' she said.

media_camera Australian Schapelle Corby was sentenced to 20 years in an Indonesian prison for drug smuggling. Picture: AP

"If you break the laws of other countries or are accused of doing so, you are subjected to their legal system."

The Minister urged people to take out insurance and check Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advice before they travel overseas.

She has rejected calls for a government travel levy to help cover the costs of helping Australians overseas.

"I'm not in favour of imposing more taxes on people," she said.

Ms Bishop will be taking a different approach from Labor foreign ministers, who she accuses of using consular cases for "publicity and political grandstanding".

Instead she will be providing less of a daily commentary on high-profile cases.

"Rarely is that in the interests of the person requiring assistance," she said.

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Originally published as 'Don't count on us to bail you out'