Mal Washer (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I support the member for Reid’s excellent presentation. I had the privilege of being a member of the Parliamentary Delegation visit to the European Institutions and bilateral visit to Norway. It was one which strengthened the ties with the European Parliament, legal and political institutions in the Netherlands and the Norwegian parliament.

It was a delegation of six. I, again, thank Laurie Ferguson, Joel Fitzgibbon, Wilson Tuckey, Senator Stephen Parry and their partners for their focus, their teamwork and their collegiality. I also thank the leader of the delegation, government senator Kay Patterson, for the example she set at meetings and functions. She tabled this report in the Senate six weeks after our return on 21 June 2006.

In Belgium, the European Union is entering a period where developing issues, such as immigration, and existing issues, including the EU constitution, enlargement and the Common Agricultural Policy, have become leading priority areas. The European Union membership increased to 25 nations on 1 May 2004 and now produces over 25 per cent of the world’s GDP and remains Australia’s largest single trading and second largest investment partner.

Although Australia has strong differences with the EU in international trade, particularly on agriculture and aspects of the EU’s regulatory approach, Australia cooperates with the EU on a broad range of international issues. For Australia, the EU market is the destination of 11 per cent of total exports and the source of 28 per cent of imports.

Throughout a very successful series of meetings, the delegation was able to outline for some members of the European Parliament Australia’s position on issues such as energy, including uranium, trade subsidies, immigration and foreign policy. The delegation also noted that the EU has succeeded in implementing further economic reforms and recognises that the European Parliament and national governments continue to face resistance.

Other features of the delegation’s work in Belgium included a visit to NATO, where the delegation learnt about the pan-European perspective on current key issues such as global security. The delegation also called on the Belgian parliament to attend a meeting with the Speaker of the Chamber of People’s Representatives.

On 25 April, Anzac Day, ceremonies at the Western Front, West Flanders, to commemorate the Australians who fought and the thousands who died there were a highlight. In The Hague in the Netherlands, engagements included visits to several international institutions, including the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. We also visited the Dutch parliament and attended a very successful and memorable function hosted by the Australian ambassador, honouring Dutch veterans who served or assisted Australia in World War II. This function also commemorated 400 years of bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Australia. The parliament was delighted to accept a bilateral invitation from the Norwegian parliament, the Storting. Australia enjoys good relations with Norway and we share many common values.

During the visit to Norway the delegation met with a number of parliamentary representatives, including a number of its committees and senior officials from government departments and industry. Many issues of interest, such as immigration, education, the pension fund and fishing were discussed. The delegation observed that, while areas of disagreement remain, such as whaling policy, the growing relationship between Norway and Australia was sufficiently mature to realise the areas of growing partnership.

The delegation expressed its tremendous gratitude for the warm welcome it received at all meetings and functions, and for the generosity of the Norwegian parliament in hosting this visit. The leader of the Australian delegation was pleased to be able to formally invite, on behalf of the Presiding Officers, a delegation from the parliament of Norway to visit Australia.

The delegation also extended its sincere thanks to our Australian ambassadors, their embassy staff and colleagues for making the visit such a beneficial and memorable one. Thanks also to Lynette Mollard from the Parliamentary Relations Office for her tremendous work in bringing our appointments and bookings together.

Finally, a note of appreciation to the secretary of the delegation, Mr Chris Reid. He is also the Director of the Parliamentary Education Office. I am not surprised he holds this position if his tireless work and attention to detail in managing and reporting on our trip are any indication. I am sure I can speak for others when I extend my gratitude to Chris Reid for his efforts. I commend the report to the House.

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