Hi
Presently in vacation in Ireland with new camera as described. Purchased in Australia about 3 weeks ago and has been working fine with no issues up till today. Now displays narrow vertical coloured lines including the on the menu etc. Had a chat on-line with Panasonic technician who said warranty only covered in Australia Region.

I just checked and despite not being able to see the image when taking the shot it is recording images ok on the Memory card.

1: Is he correct?
2: If repair needed ( i am sure it is) how long will it take as only in each city a few days at a time ?
3: Is this a common issue? Only had DSLR's before and never any issues.

Thanks
john

Not really, purchased is where it is guaranteed, so may be right, but I would think that it would be covered for use worldwide.

(I have 2 Lumix cameras, a compact & a hybrid, & both of mine have been OK since purchasing them about 10 years ago.)

This isn't a Linux question. (Perhaps there was confusion over Lumix and Linux.)

Whilst it wouldn't be off-topic in the General section of LQ, it should really be asked on a camera-oriented site, e.g. DPReview.

The screen is physically damaged.

^ Not necessarily.
Could be the connectors/wires only.
Have seen this on laptops, often you can influence the problem by wiggling the lid.

It might be legal (IANAL), but this sounds just wrong for a global supercompany like Panasonic.
Even so you should be able to send it to Australia from wherever you are.

Continue to use it, assuming the warranty is still valid when you return to Australia?