News AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 2010 Prime Minister sworn in

INSIDE Julia Gillard has been sworn in as Shortly after the confirmation of T H IS I S S UE Prime Minister of Australia after her election as Prime Minister, Ms one of the closest elections in our Gillard stated her pledge in the role: history. Ms Gillard‘s Australian ―Ours will be a government with Labor Party (ALP) has formed a just one purpose, and that's to serve About Prime minority government with the sup- people.‖ Minister 2 port of Greens MP Adam Bandt and independent MPs Andrew The election resulted in Liberal Gillard Wilkie, Rob Oakeshott and Tony candidate taking the Windsor. marginal seat of Hasluck from La- BC recognises bor, thus becoming the first indige- The result of the election took 17 nous MP elected to the House of Australian 3 days to be finalised after the ALP Representatives. It also saw the initially won 72 of 150 seats in the election of Wyatt Roy to the seat of licences House of Representatives and the Longman, who, at age 20, became Liberal/National Coalition won 73. the youngest ever Australian MP. Australians Both major parties entered into negotiations with the Greens and See page 2 for more on our PM. star at TIFF 4 independents but ultimately the ALP was able to form government. For official results, visit: Prime Minister Julia Gillard vtr.aec.gov.au New DHOM in Ottawa 5 Rudd heads key Cabinet appointments Call Centre On 11 September, PM Gillard Other notable portfolio changes Other new faces include Joseph announced her new Cabinet. include as the Ludwig as the Minister for Agri- wins service 6 Minister for Trade. For Dr Em- culture, Fisheries and Forestry Key appointments include for- erson, who previously had port- and as the Minister award mer Prime Minister, Kevin folio responsibility for small for Immigration and Citizenship. Rudd, to the position of Minister business, competition policy, Deputy PM for Foreign Affairs. Mr Rudd consumer affairs and deregula- , who visited Can- replaces Stephen Smith, who is tion, this marks his first Cabinet ada in June for the G20 Summit, 8 visits Toronto now the Minister for Defence. position. He made his first min- continues as Treasurer (finance Mr Rudd‘s first action as For- isterial visit to Washington, DC. minister) and Deputy Prime eign Minister was to visit the Minister. Minister Rudd ADF and AusAID Australian Former trade minister Simon Medical Task Force in the flood- Crean has been moved to the For a full listing of Cabinet Min- addresses UN 9 affected city of Kot Addu, cen- position of Minister for Regional isters, visit the Prime Minister‘s tral Pakistan, before addressing Australia, Regional Develop- website: summit the United Nations in New York. ment and Local Government and pm.gov.au/The_Ministry/Cabinet Minister for the Arts.

AUSTRALIA NEWS OCTOBER 2010 P A G E 1 Who is Australia’s Prime Minister?

While Prime Minister Gillard is After graduating, Ms Gillard began From 2003 to 2006 Ms Gillard famously Australia‘s first female work as a solicitor in Melbourne served as Shadow Minister for Prime Minister, her background is with the law firm Slater and Health. On 4 December 2006 Ms not so well known outside of Aus- Gordon. She became a Partner at Gillard was appointed Deputy tralia. The following profile comes the firm in 1990. Ms Gillard's work Leader of the Australian Labor from the Prime Minister‘s website: at the firm focused on employment Party and served as Shadow Minis- law. ter for Employment and Industrial Ms Gillard was born in Barry, Relations and Social Inclusion. Wales in 1961, the daughter of a From 1996 to 1998 she served as nurse and aged care worker. She Chief-of-Staff to the then Opposi- Following the ALP's victory at the and her family migrated to Austra- tion Leader (currently Premier) of 2007 federal election, Ms Gillard lia in 1966 and she grew up in Ade- the State of Victoria, John Brumby. was sworn in as Deputy Prime Min- laide. She was educated at Mitcham ister and Minister for Education, Demonstration School and Unley Ms Gillard won the federal seat of Employment and Workplace Rela- High School in South Australia. Lalor for the ALP in 1998. From tions and Social Inclusion. 1998 to 2001 she served on the Ms Gillard started her arts and law House of Representatives Standing Ms Gillard became Prime Minister degree at the University of Ade- Committee on Employment, Educa- on 24 June, 2010, succeeding Kevin laide. In 1983 she was elected Na- tion and Workplace Relations. Rudd. tional Education Vice-President of the Australian Union of Students In 2001 Ms Gillard was appointed She is a passionate supporter of the (AUS) and moved to Melbourne to Shadow Minister (opposition critic) Western Bulldogs Football Club. complete her degree at the Univer- for Population and Immigration sity of Melbourne. and subsequently took on responsi- Read more on the Prime Minister at bilities for Reconciliation and In- Later that year, she was elected digenous Affairs in 2003. pm.gov.au President of the AUS.

High-powered line up for inaugural Australia-Canada Leadership Forum

* the most effective models for developing and building The future dimensions of the Australia-Canada partner- infrastructure that will underpin both countries‘ com- ship will feature prominently at a gathering of high-level petitiveness and productivity business, government and academic leaders from Aus- tralia and Canada that will take place in , Austra- * the options that are open to Australia and Canada to lia from 16-18 November. This event - the Australia- foster more liberalised trade and investment and to work Canada Economic Leadership Forum – promises to gen- towards economic integration, and erate some fresh and original thinking on the way for- ward. * the lessons that Canada and Australia can learn from one another in their approaches to promoting innovation, The discussion will revolve around the following key research and technology, and the options for maximising themes: productive collaboration between the two countries. * the lessons that Canada can learn from Australia‘s The line up of influential participants in the Forum – approach to developing its economic links with Asia from business, academia, and government – is impres- and, in the same vein, the lessons that Australia can sive and gives us cause for optimism that the discussions learn from the Canadian approach to developing trade will represent a major step forward in renewing and en- and investment links with Latin America hancing the partnership between our two countries.

AUSTRALIA NEWS OCTOBER 2010 P A G E 2 Oil sands visit Michael Googan, Second Secretary at the High Commission (pictured at right), was recently invited to join a number of Canadian Senators and other delegates on a tour of Alberta‘s oil sands.

On arrival in Calgary, Mr Googan was welcomed with a traditional Albertan ‗white hat‘ greeting. From there, he vis- ited a number of sites.

He attended a variety of information ses- sions hosted by the Alberta Government, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and other interest groups. Australia to host energy summit Australia will host the 3rd Asia Pacific Partnership Energy Regulatory and Mar- ket Development Forum conference in Sydney on 3-5 November 2010.

Further information is available from: ret.gov.au British Columbia joins Ontario in

recognising Australian driver licences

In positive news for the many Aus- bility requirements indicated on the ments with all other Canadian prov- tralians living in Canada‘s western- ICBC website. Licences can be inces and territories. Currently, most province, residents of British exchanged at any ICBC licensing Australian licences are recognised Columbia are now able to exchange office for a cost of C$31. only in Ontario and British Colum- their Australian driver‘s licence for bia, although licences from all Ca- a B.C. licence without having to The Australian Government wel- nadian provinces and territories undergo a driving test. comed the developments in B.C. as have been fully recognised in all such arrangements are valuable in Australian jurisdictions for some The Insurance Corporation of Brit- facilitating the two-way movement time. ish Columbia (ICBC), which is of skilled personnel between Aus- responsible for driver licensing and tralia and Canada and promoting For more information, visit: vehicle registration in the province, commercial links. icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving- recognises Australian drivers pro- bc/other-country/australia vided that they have two years of The Australian Government is seek- driving experience and meet eligi- ing to put in place similar arrange-

AUSTRALIA NEWS OCTOBER 2010 P A G E 3 Canadian Naval Centennial Fleet Review

From 9-14 June Australia was repre- sented by the Navy Ship HMAS Newcastle at a traditional Fleet Re- view to celebrate the Centennial of the Canadian Navy in Victoria, BC.

A fleet review is a Royal Navy tradi- tion dating back to 1415 that was originally intended as a means of demonstrating the strength of a na- tion‘s naval fleet. Nowadays, fleet reviews are ceremonial. The Review featured ten Canadian ships and 13 from five foreign navies and coast guards.

The Review began with a Parade of Nations in downtown Victoria. The HMAS Newcastle pictured during the Canadian Naval Centennial Fleet parade featured the sailors of the Review in Victoria, British Columbia. visiting nations, as well as a fire- works display, a rock concert, a dis- The highlight of the review saw all The efforts of our sailors on board play by the Canadian Forces Sky participating ships gathered along- HMAS Newcastle went a long way to Hawks skydiving team, a fly past by side ships of the Canadian Fleet at reinforcing the very strong bond maritime aircraft and a performance the Royal Roads anchorage and the between the Australian and Canadian by the renowned Canadian Air Force Canadian Navy flagship carried the Navies. Snowbirds Air Demonstration Governor General as Reviewing Of- Squadron. ficer through the lines of ships. Australians star at TIFF Australian films were again prominent at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this year. Seven Australian features were entered into official compe- tition, highlighting Australia‘s diverse industry.

On 11 September, the High Commission co-hosted a networking reception with Screen Australia to profile the Australian presence at the festival.

The event was attended by around 170 guests, includ- ing actors Geoffrey Rush, Ryan Kwanten and Tovy Schmitz plus other artists, producers and financiers.

Australian films shown at TIFF 2010 were:

 Blame  Mother of Rock: (L-R) Nancy Hughes Anthony (President & CEO, Cana-  Griff the Invisible Lillian Roxon dian Bankers Association), Melissa Fransen (First Secre-  Machete Maidens  Wasted on the Young tary, Australian High Commission) and Brian Anthony Unleashed!  Jucy (CEO, Director’s Guild of Canada) at the Australian TIFF reception, Toronto.

AUSTRALIA NEWS OCTOBER 2010 P A G E 4 High Commission welcomes new DHOM

The High Commission recently However, I was posted to the Em- welcomed Bruce Soar to the post as bassy in Berlin for three years and Deputy High Commissioner. Mr returned to Adelaide as State Direc- Soar arrived with his wife and three tor of the Department's South Aus- children at the beginning of Sep- tralian Office between 2004 and tember. He took a moment to ex- 2007. My last job was in the De- plain how he came to be in Ottawa. partment's International Economy Branch, working on Australia's re- ―This is my first time in Canada. sponse to the global financial crisis It‘s a place I'd always wanted to and the establishment of the G20. work, so being Deputy Head of

Mission is a great honour. And it‘s ―As DHOM, my main priority will been a wonderful first few weeks. be to help the High Commissioner My family can't believe how friendly everyone has been. We've strengthen the already very produc- had such a warm welcome in Can- tive bilateral relationship between Australia and Canada, and to help ada, we already feel like we belong Deputy High Commissioner, identify new areas where our two here. Mr Bruce Soar countries can work together and ―I was born and grew up in Ade- of Foreign Affairs and Trade. benefit from each other‘s experi- laide, South Australia. It took me a ences. long time to work out what I ―I've been working at DFAT for 14 wanted to do, so I spent six years years now. That sounds like a long ―At the moment, the major chal- moving between courses at the Uni- time, but I've worked in so many lenge I face is getting on top of versity of Adelaide. During that different jobs over that time that it what is such a broad and complex time, I did degrees in economics, doesn't feel like long. Working for relationship. Canada and Australia commerce and law. After leaving the Department, the longest you share a similar outlook on many university I worked for Price tend to spend in any one job is three international issues and work to- Waterhouse (now PriceWaterhouse- years. gether in such a range of areas that Coopers) for a couple of years be- it will take some time to come to fore moving to Canberra in 1996 to ―Since joining the Department, I've grips with everything.‖ take up a job with the Department spent most of my time in Canberra. Australian musicians centre stage at MusicFest Vancouver

MusicFest Vancouver, now in its tenth year, featured ―Music of Australia‖ as its theme for 2010. Australian artists featured included Joe Chindamo, Freshwater Trio, The Idea of North, Doug Devries, Rita Reichman and William Barton (pictured at right).

The festival was attended by 25,000 people over ten days, and culminated with the Sounds of Australia playing in the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens as the festival‘s final act. Reviews for the Australian musicians were very positive throughout the festival.

AUSTRALIA NEWS OCTOBER 2010 P A G E 5 Ottawa’s Service Centre team wins prestigious award

The Ottawa Service Centre located at the Australian High Commission was recently awarded the 2010 Sec- retary's Client Service Challenge under the Overseas Post Category. The Service Centre provides pre- and post-lodgement client enquiry support for visa applica- tions across the Americas.

The team of 22 staff speaks four languages—English, Spanish, French and Portuguese—which has allowed other posts, in particular Paris and Lisbon, to take ad- vantage of the service.

The Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC, which is the Call Centre‘s parent agency), Andrew Metcalfe, awarded the accolade to the Ottawa Service Centre for: High Commissioner Mr Justin Brown presents the 2010 Secretary’s Client Service Challenge award to Yaneth * achieving high performance including provision of Mahecha of the Ottawa DIAC Call Centre team. consistent, accurate and timely information and ser- vices which meet and exceed service standards; * anticipating their client's information needs and ex- ceeding their expectations; and * implementing innovative ways of working and im- proves service delivery; * maintaining excellent team morale and high job satis- faction. Canada and Australia among most popular destinations for young world travellers

Wondering why there are so many holiday maker participants. Of ticipating in a working holiday Australians working at the ski fields these, more than 10,000 were from maker agreement went to Australia. in Whistler? Or why Bondi Beach Australia – the largest number from You can find out more about Austra- cafes seem to have so many Canadi- any single country. lia and Canada‘s Working Holiday ans frequenting them? Maker Programs at the Australian Under the working holiday maker and Canadian Government websites: It is because young Australians and agreement, Australians and Canadi- Canadians have been taking full ad- ans between the ages of 18 and 30 immi.gov.au/visitors/working - vantage of the popular Working inclusive may travel to each other‘s holiday/ Holiday Maker program that exists countries to work and travel for a between our two countries. period of up to 24 months. international.gc.ca/iyp-pij/

In the last 12 months, Canada has In the last year more than a third attracted more than 35,000 working (8,500) of the 23,000 Canadians par-

AUSTRALIA NEWS OCTOBER 2010 P A G E 6 Minister Van Loan addresses Canadian- Australian Chamber of Commerce On 17 September, the High Com- missioner attended an event hosted by the Canadian Australian Cham- ber of Commerce in Toronto.

At the event, Canadian Minister of International Trade, Peter Van Loan, delivered a speech on the importance of trade and investment links between Australia and Canada. L-R: Bob Onyschuk (Chair CACC), Michael Small (Canada’s High Commissioner Designate to Austra- lia), Peter Van Loan (Canadian Minister of International Trade), Glen Murray (Ontario Minister for Research & Innovation), Justin Brown (High Commissioner). Think Tank Corner Coming Events The Lowy Institute Priscilla — The Musical Published a policy paper, ‗Confronting the Crisis of International Climate After hit engagements in Sydney Policy,‘ proposing an international framework for greenhouse gases based and London, Priscilla Queen of the on carbon prices rather than emissions targets. The paper suggests that each Desert—the Musical rolls into To- country pledges or negotiates to implement a starting carbon price equiva- ronto October 12. Based on the Oscar-winning Australian film, lent policy along with a schedule of real annual price increases. Priscilla features an incredible array

of jaw-dropping costumes and an It also released a working paper, 'International broadcasting and its contribu- irresistible score of over 20 dance- tion to public diplomacy', examining the role of government-funded interna- floor classics. Priscilla is a journey tional broadcasters in supporting their nations‘ public diplomacy effort. to the heart of fabulous. lowyinstitute.org mirvish.com/shows/ Priscillaqueenofthedesertthemusical The Australian Strategic Policy Institute Ottawa International Animation Has released a series of reports analysing the current capabilities, structure, Festival and equipment of each branch of the Australian Defence Force. It has also Australian films feature prominently published its annual defence almanac, providing a summary of the composi- in the Ottawa International Anima- tion, funding, and strategy of the Australian Defence Force. It also includes tion Festival from 20-24 October. animationfestival.ca chapters on international cooperation agreements and counter-terrorism. aspi.org.au

AUSTRALIA NEWS OCTOBER 2010 P A G E 7 Deputy PM addresses Canadian business leaders

While in Toronto for the G20 Summit in June, Austra- lian Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer, Wayne Swan (pictured at right), participated in a CEO Roundtable event, hosted by the Canadian – Australian Chamber of Commerce and Canada 2020. At the event, Mr Swan delivered a luncheon address to 160 business, political and media representatives.

Approximately 20 CEOs and senior corporate represen- tatives attended the Roundtable, including from RIM, Bombardier, Nexen, the TSX, Rio Tinto Alcan, Presima and Macquarie Capital Markets, along with individuals from the University of Toronto, and the C.D. Howe In- stitute. At the roundtable, Mr Swan made a presentation Leader, Monique Smith, the Mayor of Toronto, David on the resilience of Australia's economy, which was Miller and the chair of the Canada-Australia Parliamen- followed by a question and answer session. tary Friendship Group, Candice Hoeppner MP. Follow- ing his speech, the Deputy PM participated in a question Following the roundtable, Mr Swan delivered a lunch- and answer session moderated by former CBC journalist eon address, 'Emerging from the crisis: the G20 and the Don Newman. Asia-Pacific'. The speech attracted a 160-strong audi- ence of predominantly business and political leaders and Mr Swan‘s speech is available from: media representatives, and included the Ontario Minister treasurer.gov.au of Intergovernmental Affairs & Government House High Commission Australia leading News: election buzz destination for hits Ottawa foreign students

It was a busier than usual summer at the High Commis- According to a study by the Organisation for Economic sion. The two weeks of pre-federal election voting saw Co-operation and Development (OECD), Australia has 241 Australians cast their votes in Ottawa out of a total the highest proportion of international students enrolled of 1843 in Canada. In addition, the High Commission in its tertiary institutions out of all countries. received 132 postal votes In 2008, twenty per cent of students enrolled in tertiary To mark the election, the High Commissioner hosted a institutions in Australia were from overseas. The OECD breakfast at 7:00am on Saturday 21 August to allow average was 6.7 per cent. invited guests to watch the vote count as it was broad- cast live from Australia. More information on the study, and other OECD data, is available from: With no clear election result, guests watched as Austra- oecd.org lian media examined the ramifications of the then- inconclusive vote count.

AUSTRALIA NEWS OCTOBER 2010 P A G E 8 State in profile: Tasmania Minister Rudd Exports: AUD 3.9 billion including Zinc (AUD 562 million), Alumin- addresses ium (AUD 424 million) and Wood (AUD 363 million) Millennium Trade with Canada: In 2008-09, Tasmania exported AUD 37.81 million worth of goods to Canada, Development making it Tasmania‘s 15th largest export destination. Goals Summit Capital: Hobart (pop. 209,451) Once known as Van Diemen‘s Land, Tasmania is Australia‘s only On 22 September, Minister Rudd Total population: 503,300 island state and sits 240 kilometres addressed the Millennium Devel- south-east of Australia‘s mainland. 2 opment Goals Summit. Size: 68,102 km total area Tasmania itself is surrounded by over 300 small islands. Over 40 per Population density: 7.47 persons cent of Tasmania‘s land is protected In his speech, Mr Rudd urged all per km2 as national parks and reserves, and wealthy nations to contribute more includes mountain ranges located in to nations suffering from extreme Floral emblem: Tasmanian blue the south of the island, which date poverty. He also outlined Austra- gum back some one billion years. lia‘s recent foreign aid record.

Fauna: Tasmania does not have an The state‘s economy has histori- ―Today, Australia‘s aid budget is official faunal emblem, though the cally been underpinned by primary double what it was in 2005 – in- Tasmanian Devil is unofficially industries. The west coast of Tas- cluding a 200 per cent increase in recognised as a symbol of Tasma- mania is one of the most heavily our aid to Africa alone. By 2015, nian wildlife. mineralised regions in Australia and on current projections, our aid its mineral industry has played a Premier: David Bartlett (Labor significant part in economic and budget will double again.‖ Party) cultural development for well over 150 years. The full text of Mr Rudd‘s speech Political system: Bicameral Parlia- is available on his website: ment The economic contribution of the forest industry is six times greater foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/ Federal Representation: 5 House in Tasmania, where forests account of Representatives seats (of 150), for almost 44 per cent of the state‘s 12 Senate seats (of 76) land area, than in Australia as a whole. Famous Tasmanians: Errol Flynn (actor), Mary Donaldson (Crown As an area of significant natural Princess of Denmark), Elizabeth beauty, Tasmania is also seen as the Blackburn (scientist, 2009 Nobel birthplace of Australia‘s environ- Prize winner), Peter Hudson mental movement. (Australian Rules footballer), Jo- seph Lyons (former Prime Minis- Tourism is a growing economic ter), Peter Sculthorpe (composer), contributor as visitors from around Ricky Ponting (Australian cricket the world are drawn to the state‘s captain), David Boon (cricket unique natural beauty. player), Alannah Hill (fashion) Minister Rudd at the podium in the United Nations building, New York.

Photo: UN PHOTO/Ky Chung

AUSTRALIA NEWS OCTOBER 2010 P A G E 9 Out and About with the High Commissioner gram‘). He travelled to Canberra, Toronto on 17 September for a Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and speech by International Trade Minis- Perth and met with a wide range of ter Peter Van Loan to the Canadian government and business contacts. Australian Chamber of Commerce. He delivered two speeches, one in The incoming Canadian High Com- Sydney on the G20 to the Australian missioner to Australia, Michael Institute for International Affairs, Small, was also present. and the second in Perth focussed on developments in Canada‘s mining The High Commissioner delivered a and energy sector. presentation on the intersection be- tween trade and climate change pol- Following his return to Ottawa in icy at Queen‘s University Trade Pol- early August, the Australian federal icy Institute, and joined other heads election was a popular topic. The of mission at the Diplomatic Forum High Commissioner hosted a break- in Charlottetown. fast on 21 August to watch the elec- tion coverage, and he was delighted The High Commissioner also wel- The months of April, May and June to welcome a number of senior peo- comed a number of official Austra- were focused on preparations for the ple from government, business, me- lian visitors to Ottawa including a G20 Summit. After some unex- dia and the diplomatic corps. The delegation from the University of pected domestic political develop- close result kept the coverage inter- Melbourne, lead by Deputy Chancel- ments, the High Commissioner was esting until 10am Ottawa time lor, Professor Sue Elliott, the head of pleased to welcome to Canada the (midnight in eastern Australia). the Defence Intelligence and Re- Deputy Prime Minister and Treas- Australia has now joined Canada as search Division of the Department of urer, Wayne Swan, as leader of the members of the ‗minority govern- the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mi- Australian delegation to the Summit. ment club‘. chael Shoebridge, and Australia‘s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim In addition to his participation in the The High Commissioner gave a Bishop. Summit, Mr Swan participated in a number of media interviews in Au- policy roundtable that focussed on gust, including with the Business September also saw visits from Inno- Australia‘s economic performance News Network (BNN) Headline pro- vation Counsellor, Rachel Stephen- and delivered a major speech at a gram, which ran an edition focused Smith, and Education and Science very well-attended event co-hosted on Australian and Canadian trade Counsellor, Mark Darby, both of by Canada 2020 and the Canadian relations with China. whom are based at Australia‘s Em- Australian Chamber of Commerce. bassy in Washington DC and have Mr Swan‘s ‗Davos-style conversa- In August, the High Commissioner responsibility for Canada. tion‘ with Don Newman after his officiated at a citizenship ceremony speech was a particular highlight. for four new Australians, and he and In aid of the Pakistan flood victims, Caroline were pleased to host the the High Commissioner attended the July saw the High Commissioner annual summer reception for mem- Pakistan flood victims fundraising return to Australia for his mid-term bers of the Australian Wine Society. event. They also joined other diplo- consultation program (sometimes mats at a farewell reception for Gov- referred to as a ‗re-education pro- The High Commissioner travelled to ernor General Michaëlle Jean.

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