Aussies dismiss major issue with world’s second most expensive passport: ‘Such as***tshow’

Frustrated Australian travelers have taken to social media to respond to the persistent curling of the covers on their brand new, expensive passports.

Australia’s new R-series passport is now the second most expensive in the world, with the cost skyrocketing to $398 after a 15 percent price increase in July, beaten only by the small European country of Lichtenstein.

But despite the high price tag, some who have gotten their hands on the new model have expressed concerns about its production quality.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) last year praised the launch of the new passport, along with the fact that it is manufactured in Australia.

“Did you know Australia has an innovative new passport known as the R Series?,” the department said.

“The next-generation passport is packed with advanced security features designed to keep Australians’ identities safe.

‘Your passport has been designed, printed and assembled in Australia to strict security standards.’

Aside from the security features, users on Reddit agreed that the curly covers made the passport look cheap.

Australian travelers have taken to social media to rant about a problem with their new R-series passports, the incessantly curly cover

The Australian passport is now the most expensive in the world (stock image)

A Reddit post titled “Is the Australian Passport Possessed?” drew heated reactions from Australians.

The original poster asked: ‘There’s something wrong with my passport, is someone else’s passport behaving like this?’

This was followed by a laughing/crying emoji.

In the photo accompanying the post, the passport was placed vertically, with the front and back covers extremely curled.

“Mine was like this when I got it. You have to squeeze the bunyips under some heavy books.”

“It settles down eventually,” one Reddit user wrote.

Another responded rather bluntly: ‘Mine does the same, the most expensive passport in the world, like***show.’

One user claimed to have inside information and made a suggestion.

‘I did a job at the passport manufacturer, they knew (sic) this would happen and there (sic) they couldn’t do much to fix it because of the way the pages are put together.’

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs trumpeted the launch of the new R-series passport last year. ‘Your passport is designed, printed and assembled in Australia to strict security standards’

‘My recommendation to anyone getting one of the new passports (anything from 2023 to now) is to put it under some heavy books for a week or so as soon as you get it to prevent this from happening.’

Another user offered unusual, but useful advice.

“I keep mine in the condom. Plus only used for ID. Mine is behaving normally, sorry.’

Owners of Canadian passports are also experiencing similar issues with their new passports curling.

DFAT has addressed the curling problem on its website website.

‘You may notice a slight curl on the cover of your R Series passport. This occasionally occurs due to changes in humidity.’

‘It is not a manufacturing defect and does not affect the validity of your passport’

‘By keeping your passport properly secured, you can prevent this curling up.’

‘For example, you can use an envelope or passport holder to store and protect your passport between uses.’