Sponsors' Dinner of Australia's Pavilionat World Expo 2005 Aichi

Introduction

Ambassador Ueda, Bruce Billson MP, valued sponsors, State colleagues, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I want to first bid you a very warm welcome this evening and extend the thanks of the Government for the excellent support you are providing for Australia's participation at World Expo 2005.

I know from my experience with the 2000 Hannover World Expo, that putting all the elements in place for a successful Expo is no simple task - with solid support of sponsors a key factor. Indeed, when the Government started work on this project in June 2003, we were not sure exactly how much support we would be able to generate. So, to see this very impressive group of sponsors and supporters - to the collective tune of $4.5 million - is therefore not only a most welcome state of affairs but also a privilege and a pleasure.

If I may, I'd like to try to articulate the significance of your support for this venture. Firstly, the relationship with Japan is of enormous importance to Australia. At all levels, it is one of our most important, mature and valued international relationships. It is not just about trade, vital though trade is. This strong response from our state colleagues, and corporate Australia, shows there is a very high level of energy towards this relationship across the board. And that, I am sure you will agree, augurs well for the relationship in the coming years.

I think you will also agree that the Expo is a chance to express our commitment to the relationship to the Japanese Government, business community and the Japanese people. One innovative way our Expo team has devised to illustrate that commitment is through this magnificent publication, Australia Japan Connections which you have received today. It is hot off the presses and will not be officially launched until the Prime Minister visits Expo in Aichi for our "National Day at Expo", but we wanted to present you with an advanced copy. It will be used as the Australian pavilion presentation book and hard-cover copies will be given as gifts to our most senior visitors.

Secondly, I think your support for this project shows that, given the right "platform" to promote Australia, our business community and state colleagues will respond - and respond magnificently. I know our Expo pavilion provides that platform for you.

The Federal Government has committed $35 million to the development of the Australian pavilion. That provided the raw ingredients for a pretty good cake. Your sponsorship provides the icing. It takes us to a level where we can be very confident that our participation in Expo will leave a deep impression on every Japanese or international visitor over the six months of the Expo. I think that is vitally important in the current context of international relations.

We live in an increasingly competitive global and regional environment. With 127 countries sharing the stage in Nagoya, this World Expo provides an opportunity to re-affirm our commitment to global cooperation, to our region and to the Australia-Japan relationship.

Thirdly, your support is recognition of the important changes that are taking place in Japan in terms of market opening and reform, and new market opportunities. And we are seeing through this Expo and more broadly, that there are new patterns of trade emerging which offer opportunities for those nimble and astute enough to take them. That's why, as I said last Friday, I am encouraged that senior Japanese business people are increasingly in favour of a Free Trade Agreement feasibility study between Australia and Japan. We must all remain ambitious for the relationship in the years ahead.

Before concluding, I'd just like to acknowledge the great contribution of Ian Grigg, as my Business Envoy to the Expo, Commissioner General Andrew Todd and his team, and Austrade - both in Australia and Japan - in preparing such a strong and effective sponsorship and business program for the pavilion. I would also like to congratulate and thank Pete Ford and his pavilion team for the magnificent work that they have done in fitting out the Australian pavilion on time, to such high quality and, I'm happy to say from a Government perspective, on budget.

Conclusion

Finally, on behalf of the Government, let me once again express my appreciation to you for supporting the Australian pavilion at the 2005 Aichi Expo. I trust that all your aims and aspirations for that sponsorship are met through your involvement with the Australian pavilion.

I am sure you join with me in wishing our Expo team well in this very important project. Please join me in a toast to the success of the 2005 Aichi Expo, the success of the Australian pavilion, and the future of the Australia-Japan relationship.