PM Transcripts

I* L
,,, AUSTRALIA
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA_ 20 February. 1987._
The Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the Rt Hon Dr Tomasi Puapua,
-w-i-l--be-v-i-s-i-t-ing-A-us-tr-al-i-a--from--21 Februa-ry-to 2--M--rch-as-a--
guest of . the Australian. Government. He will be accompanied
by his wife Mrs Riana Puapua.
During his stay in Australia Dr Puapua will visit Melbourne,
Perth, Canberra, Brisbane and Townsville. Dr Puapua will
hold discussions with myself, the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Mr Hayden, the Minister for Defence, Mr Beazley,
and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Howard. He will call
on the Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen.
In Perth Dr Puapua will call on the Acting Premier and
Minister for Defence Liaison, Mr Bryce, and visit the
facilities of Australian Shipbuilding Industries, where the
Pacific Patrol Boat Project is underway. Dr Puapua will
visit the Expo 88 site in Brisbane and meet the Deputy
Premier, Mr W Gunn. In Townsville Dr Puapua will visit the
Townsville State High School, where some students from
Tuvalu are to study, James Cook University and the
Australian Institute of Marine Science for discussions on
management of the marine environment.
Australia and Tuvalu share a warm and friendly relationship
and are partners in South Pacific regional activities. I
hope that, as a result of the exchanges during Dr Puapua's
visit, an even closer understanding would be reached between
Australia and Tuvalu. In December 1986 the Australian
Government decided to contribute $ 8 million to the Tuvalu
Trust Fund, which is designed to allow the Tuvalu Government
to achieve financial self-reliance and to plan effectively
for the long-term future of its people.