Media release
Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile
August 02, 1999
New Media Centre To Promote Australia Through The Olympic Games
The Sydney Media Centre, when it opens in July next year, is expected to make a major contribution to promoting Australia's international image and its potential as a trade and investment partner, according to the Minister for Trade, Mr Mark Vaile.
The world class media facility which was officially "launched" today at its Darling Island site, has been developed as a partnership between the Commonwealth and NSW State Governments, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade playing a leading role in the project.
Mr Vaile said, "The Sydney Media Centre is expected to make a major contribution towards promoting Australia's international image and its potential as a trade and investment partner."
"However, in addition to assisting media from overseas, the Centre will also provide facilities and assistance for journalists from regional areas of New South Wales and from interstate who come to Sydney to prepare reports in the lead-up to the Games".
Mr Vaile said the Commonwealth Government recognised the importance of the Olympic Games in terms of promoting Australia's image and maximising business opportunities. An unprecedented degree of world attention would increasingly be focused on Australia between now and the Olympic Games and Australia needed to make the most of this.
"It is important that people in other countries know about our international trade competitiveness, our technological achievements, our sophistication, cultural diversity and attractiveness as a tourist destination," Mr Vaile said. "And this is not just a matter of boosting our national ego. Accurate perceptions about Australia and its capabilities can significantly advance Australia's political, trade, security and other interests - just as surely as inaccurate or outdated ones can impede them."
"I am confident that the Sydney Media Centre will play a major role in assisting media representatives to report on Australia accurately and comprehensively".