PM Transcripts

NQ DATE
M4/ 152 28 October 1973
VISIT OF SINGAPORE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator
Willesee, announced today that the Minister for Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Singapore, Mr Sinnathamby Rajaratnam, would
visit Australia from 9 to 17 November as a guest of the
Australian Government.
Mr Rajaratnam, a founding member of Singapore's
governing Peoples Action Party, has been active in public
life since his election to the Singapore Legislative Assembly
in 1959. In August 1965, he became Singapore's first
Foreign Minister0 He also held the Labour portfolio from
1968 until July 1971. This will be Mr Rajaratnam's first
visit to Australia. Senator Willesee said that the Australian Government
welcomed the opportunity afforded by the visit to exchange
views with Singapore on the international scene and on
aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Mr Rajaratnam, will have discussions in Canberra on 15 and 16
Noemer Senator Willesee also noted that Mr Rajaratnam had
accepted an invitation from the Australian Institute of
International Affairs to be this year's Dyason Lecturer.
Mr Rajaratnam, the first Foreign Minister to deliver
the Dyason Lectures, will speak to audiences in Perth on
9 November, Sydney on 12 November, Melbourne on 13 November,
Adelaide on 14 November, and in Canberra on 15 November0