Graham Edwards (Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary (Defence and Veterans' Affairs)) Share this | Hansard source

I endorse the remarks of the previous speaker, and particularly those about the staff. This committee has been an excellent committee to serve on under the chairmanship of Mr Jull. The committee has done some good work and brought forward a good report. I will comment quickly on some of the matters in the report. The committee considers that the level of interaction between Australia and Malaysia underpins the sound relationship between the two countries. Further links will no doubt be generated as the two countries move towards the establishment of an FTA.

One of the areas I was particularly interested in, having transited through Butterworth in 1970 when I served with the Australian forces, is the continuing strength of the defence relationship. The committee commented:

Evidence given at this inquiry has indicated that the bilateral defence relationship is overwhelmingly positive and provides substantial benefits for Australia. There is a strong foundation for this relationship to develop further.

It also said:

Malaysia’s strong military professionalism and capacity ensures it is able to respond effectively to military and humanitarian tasks and cooperate with the ADF to address security challenges. The benefits flowing from the close defence relationship were demonstrated in East Timor, with Malaysia willing and able to operate with the ADF under Australian command.

It is incredibly important that Australia continues to work on good relationships with all of our neighbours. The benefits of that were demonstrated by the very close way in which the ADF and the Malaysians worked together to bring relief to those affected by the tsunami. We have also worked very closely together in East Timor.

The only negative thing I would say is in respect of tourism. The committee noted that both Australia and Malaysia are working hard to improve tourism links. The committee commented:

The Committee considers that Tourism Australia’s recent “Where the Bloody Hell are You” campaign is not appropriate for all cultures. The Committee expects Tourism Australia to mount any tourism promotion in Asian countries in an appropriate manner. The content and presentation of the Malaysian Visitors Guide to Australia shows that Tourism Australia is sensitive to the culture of its target audience.

It is important that we run programs that promote Australia as a destination of good choice—safe, with plenty of the wonders of the world to see—but it is important that, when we run these programs, we are culturally sensitive. It is not always possible to pull together one slogan or one ad that is appropriate for all parts of the world, and it is entirely evident that that promotion was not culturally sensitive to Malaysia.

The other area that I think Australia and Malaysia have benefited from is education exchange. The committee report says this:

Education is clearly both a vital platform for the broader bilateral relationship and economically beneficial for Australia. It is important that the education dimension continues to be maintained and reinvigorated.

Many of Malaysia’s leaders in industry, commerce and politics have studied in Australia, and I think that augurs well for a continuing future based on mutual respect, one which hopefully will have beneficial leads for both countries. I commend the report to the House.

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