Australia will open a Consulate-General in Houston in the next 12 months in recognition of the significant two-way investment between Australia and the global energy capital.
Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States and home to more than 3,700 energy-related firms.
More than 50 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Texas – second only to New York City – and the state exports $2.5 billion worth of goods to Australia.
Houston is the centre of Australian oil and gas investment in the United States. More than 100 Australian companies operate in Texas, including BHP Billiton – the largest foreign investor in US shale, Woodside, Santos, WorleyParsons, Macquarie Group, Pryme Oil and Gas, Lend Lease and Brambles.
Establishing a permanent Australian Government presence in Houston will allow Australia to maximise the two-way trade and investment opportunities of the US energy revolution.
Texas would be the world’s 13th largest economy in its own right and there are extensive opportunities to deepen defence, cultural and academic ties with Australia.
The Joint Strike fighter is produced at the Lockheed facilities in Dallas; the vibrant arts sector will be a natural partner for Australia’s cultural institutions; and there are already strong research ties between Australian and Texan academic institutions.
I would like to acknowledge the significant contribution of Ms Nana Booker AM, Australia’s Honorary Consul for Texas for more than 14 years.
The opening of a Consulate-General in Houston is testament to the opportunities created by Ms Booker’s tireless efforts on behalf of Australia.
Tomorrow, I will visit the Texas Medical Centre, the world’s largest medical complex, to promote the exchange of research ties as the Australian Government sets up the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund.
The Texas Medical Centre is home to cutting edge cancer research and already has a close association with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne.
I look forward to the Consulate-General playing an important role in facilitating further trade and investment opportunities between Texas and Australia.
13 June 2014