Julia Irwin (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am pleased to follow the member for Pearce on her tabling of the report on the IPU conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, and the bilateral visit by the delegation to the Republic of South Africa. I firstly congratulate the member for Pearce on her leadership of the delegation and on the fine work she has been doing in enhancing Australia’s profile within the Inter-Parliamentary Union. I congratulate my fellow delegate the member for Riverina. Congratulations, Kay, on the wonderful lobby job that you did. I also congratulate my colleague and comrade Senator Gavin Marshall. I congratulate my other colleagues on their excellent contributions to the proceedings of the IPU conference.

I want to focus on what was a most important bilateral delegation to South Africa. As members would be aware, South Africa has undergone significant change in the decade since the end of apartheid. One pleasing aspect of the visit was the recognition given to Australia and the trade union movement for our support for the case to bring about the changes to the apartheid regime in South Africa. We were reminded of that on our arrival at Richards Bay, where we were greeted by about 20 people demonstrating against industrial relations laws in Australia. But in spite of our record of support in the dark days of apartheid and since, and despite the strong sporting links, there is a level of misunderstanding between the two countries. I would hope that our visit and other initiatives will bring about a better understanding of each country’s role in world affairs.

South Africa has a significant trade relationship with Australia, and the delegation had the opportunity to visit the destination of our largest volume of exports at the BHP Billiton aluminium smelter at Richards Bay. South Africa imports over $600 million worth of Australian aluminium each year. In return, Australia imports motor vehicles, including BMWs and Toyota cars. Total trade between the two countries has been growing at over 10 per cent a year over the past five years. Economic growth has been rapid, with annual growth of six per cent, but unemployment remains very high, with rates of over 25 per cent.

In many ways, post-apartheid South Africa has been a success. The two dark spots on the record are the alarming rates of HIV-AIDS and the very high rates of violent crime. Both have the potential to impede economic growth.

In the field of government, the parliament and the executive are dominated by the African National Congress. The delegation met with members of the South African Parliament, including the Deputy Speaker, the ANC Deputy Chief Whip, the Committee of Foreign Affairs Deputy Chair, the Trade and Industry Committee Chair, Douglas Gibson, the Chief Opposition Whip and other opposition members and Ms P Hollander, the Deputy Chair of the National Council of Provinces. The meetings were valuable in gaining an understanding of the South African system of government and the handling of current issues. The delegation made a visit to Robin Island, where Nelson Mandela was held for most of his 27 years of imprisonment. It was a very moving experience, as our guide had been a former political prisoner on the island himself.

We also visited the Kalkfontein township on the outskirts of Capetown. We spoke with residents of the poor but tidy township and visited a day care centre and the newly constructed school, which is also used for a health care program run by medical students from the University of Stellenbosch. We later met with students at the university campus. The delegation was greatly impressed by the program and has promised assistance on our return to Australia.

In conclusion, the visit was of value to us all in giving us an appreciation of the challenges facing the people of South Africa, the influence of its recent history on its outlook in the region of southern Africa and the economic potential of the country.

Can I add my thanks to Phillip Green, Australia’s High Commissioner, and his excellent staff for their assistance and company on the visit. Can I also thank Neil Bessel for his tireless assistance to this delegation and to many over the past years.

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