MT148

14 September 1995

NEW BOOK TO PROMOTE AUSTRALIAN INVENTIONS

A special edition of a publication which highlights Australia's commercially successful inventions was launched as part of the Government's Inventive Australia campaign by the Minister for Trade, Senator Bob McMullan, today.

Addressing a gathering of Ministers from the 18 APEC economies at the APEC SME meeting in Adelaide, Senator McMullan said the book - Inventive Australia - Tomorrow's World -showcases a range of Australian inventions which are used extensively worldwide in a variety of industry sectors.

"Australia is responsible for many world firsts," Senator McMullan said.

"The black box flight recorder, multi-focus contact lenses, the underwater personal computer, and the world's most advanced lightning protection system are just some of the amazing Australian inventions which have made a huge impact on people's lives throughout the world.

"These and many other examples of Australian ingenuity are contained in the book, which is a welcome addition to the Inventive Australia campaign."

In keeping with the campaign's objective to improve Australia's image in Asia as a supplier of high-value-added goods and services, Inventive Australia - Tomorrow's World will be distributed to key East Asian government and business decision makers, commencing with the APEC Ministers in Adelaide.

Senator McMullan said the book presents a positive picture of modern Australia and will prove a useful promotional tool in communicating the Inventive Australia message.

"Australia has a proud record of successful innovation, but we still need to promote this success in some of our most important markets to get on their 'shopping lists' for sophisticated goods and services."

Developed by the Market Australia Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the two-year Inventive Australia campaign involves advertising and public relations, Ministerial visits, business leader and media visits, and direct marketing initially in the key markets of Indonesia, Thailand, Shanghai and Korea.

Further information:

Senator McMullan's office: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420

Market Australia: Chris Cannan, (06) 261 2912