J
P~ ES3 STATMIENT ITO. 36
16 January 1973
IAPOINTL121T OJF SPECIAL TPADE 2E-i7ETATIVE, MR.
G. TARTICK SMITH
The Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Mr. Wvhitlam, today announced the appointment of a Special Trade
Representative to represent Australian interests in the forthcoming
multi-late ral rae negotiations under the General Agreement on
Tariff and Trade ( GATT).
" These negotiations" said Mr. , Thitlam " are regarded by
the Government as having a significant bearing not only on Australia's
trading patterns but on the expansion and liberalisation of world
trade in agricultural and industrial products.
" A prime objective of the negotiations is a programme
aimed at improving the living standards of the people of the world,
and about 100 countries are expected to participate,
" Preliminary meetings will be held over the next few months
and the multi-lateral negotiations are expected to continue at least
through 1974". The Government had appointed as Special Trade Representative
Mr. G. ' Tarwick Smith formerly Secretary of the Department of the
Interior who has had extensive experience in international trade
negotiations. In his previous capacities as Deputy Secretary of
the Department of Trade and Industry and Special Commercial
Adviser in London, Mr. Varwich Smith had been directly associated
at senior level with the operations of the GLTT and the complexities
of multi-lateral trade negotiations, He would be located in Canberra
whilst the preparatory work for the negotiations was being carried
out, and would be based in Geneva for the actual negotiations,
" There is" said IMr. Whitlam " a clear need for an experienced
negotiator to put the Australian viewpoint at the highest level, In
previous multi-lateral negotiations a number of countries found an
appointment at this level materially assisted their negotiating
position, I would expect the Australian decision to be welcomed
by other participating countries as an indication of the importance
we attach to the negotiations".
C ITB 1,. g. T.
Whitlam, Gough
Period of Service: 05/12/1972 - 11/11/1975
Find more information on Whitlam, Gough on the:
Release Date:
16/01/1973
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
2774
Document:
00002774.pdf
1 Page(s)
Released by:
- Whitlam, Edward Gough
APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, MR G WARWICK SMITH
2774