PRIME MINISTER
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY EMBARGOED AGAINST DELIVERY
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER
WORLD EXPO 88
BRISBANE 30 APRIL 1988
Your Majesty
Your Royal Highness
Your Excellencies
Mr Premier
Commissioner General Sir Edward Williams
Expo Chairman, Sir Llew Edwards
Ladies and Gentlemen
There is no shortage of great events taking place throughout
Australia this year, in celebration of our Bicentenary.
But one of the greatest, one of the most memorable, and one
of the most exciting of them all is about to begin.
For the next 6 months, Bwrisbane is to play host to the
world. 36 countries, 52 governments, 150 companies, and every
Australian state and the two main territories, have come
together in Expo ' 88 to show us their lifestyles, their
cultures and the best of their products.
As such it is a tremendous expression of international
goodwill and an impressive display of the highest
contemporary achievements of the human spirit.
it is a celebration which will attract visitors from around
the world.
As Prime Minister I extend a very warm welcome to all those
who are visiting* Australia for Expo.
I am confident that after seein g what Expo has to offer, and
the rest of Brisbane, and the rest of the country, you will
not be disappointed%
That is because Australians have worked hard to make Expo 88
a success. 006149
There are too many people thank individually for their
vision and hard work and besides, their best reward will
not be formal expressions of thanks but the enthusiasm with
which their exhibitions are greeted by the millions of
people expected to visit Expo.
It would be wrong however if I failed to mention
specifically the staff of the Expo Authority under the able
leadership of Llew Edwards, and the staff of the
Commissioner General, led by Ned Williams, representing
the Australian Government.
Quite simply without their work there would not be an Expo.
We are all in their debt.
I have referred to Expo as a celebration and it will
certainly be that.
But it will, I hope, be more than that.
For Australians, Expo presents us with a very significant
opportunity to show the world what we are capable of.
We know we can be a source of high quality manufactures and
commodities, a site of new investment, a launching place for
commercial ventures in the Asia-Pacific region, and a
tourist destination of unparalleled excellence.
It's our job here at Expo to show ourselves in this light to
the world.
If Australians grasp this opportunity, the Bicentenary will
become not just a 12-month party but a boost to our economy
the benefits of which will be felt for years to come.
And there is a broader implication still.
Expo is an inspiring example for all of us of what we
collectively are capable as citizens of the world.
It is one of those rare events which prompt us to consider
what efforts individuals and nations might make to foster
the cause of peace, prosperity and constructive cooperation
eve rywhe re.
Long after Expo is finished, if it has advanced that cause,
it will have served a truly invaluable and enduring purpose
for us all. 006150