12 June 2008

Appointment of Mr Lindsay Fox AC and John Denton to the APEC Business Advisory Council

The Minister for Trade, Mr Simon Crean, today announced the appointment of two of Australia’s leading business figures – Mr Lindsay Fox AC and Mr John WH Denton – to serve on Australia’s APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). They join Mr Mark Johnson, Chairman, AGL and former Deputy Chairman, Macquarie Bank as Australia’s representatives on the Council.

Mr Fox is the founder of one of Australia’s largest transport and logistics companies, Linfox, which operates in many economies in the region, employing 16,000 people, operating a fleet of 5,000 vehicles and with over 260 operating sites.

Mr Denton is the head of the Trade and International Relations Task Force in the Business Council of Australia. He is the CEO of one of Australia's top law firms, Corrs Chambers Westgarth and sits on a number of boards and advisory committees.

“Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has a strong record of forging prosperity and security in the Asia-Pacific region”, Mr Crean said. “The Australian Government strongly supports an active ABAC role in advising APEC Leaders and Ministers on the priorities of business and helping ensure APEC’s work generates economic benefits. This is particularly important given APEC’s focus on core issues of trade and investment liberalisation and economic reform.”

“I am confident that the participation of Mr Fox and Mr Denton in ABAC will strengthen ABAC as a whole and will ensure Australian business has a strong voice at the table.”

“The Government is committed to the further strengthening of APEC as the primary high-level regional group. I was pleased with the strong outcomes from the recent meeting of APEC Trade Ministers in Arequipa, Peru and Australia will work hard to build on this in the remainder of 2008”

“I will looking for ABAC’s active engagement as we work with the next three hosts of APEC – Singapore, Japan and the US – in developing a robust APEC agenda over the next three years”, Mr Crean said.

ABAC was created by APEC Economic Leaders in 1995. Up to three members are appointed to represent their business communities by each member economy Leader. ABAC meets four times a year, the last in conjunction with the Leaders’ Meeting. Mr Johnson was the Chair of ABAC in 2007.

Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555