PRIME MINISTER
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER
AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL DAY, EXPO
BRISBANE 18 JUNE 1988
Sir Edward Williams
Sir Liew Edwards
Graham Richardson
Bill Glasson
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
We are now half-day through our Bicentennial year, and have
witnessed a spectacular series of celebrations, the likes of
which will not be seen again in this country for a very long
time. Some of these events have been the result of years of
careful planning, have a high public profile, attract
significant international participation and generate world
wide attention. Others have been organised at a community
level, built simply on the enthusiasm and commitment to
Australia of its citizens.
world Expo e88 stands out amongst other Bicentennial events
because it exhibits all of these characteristics.
Expo 88 has brought together 36 nations, 2 international
organisations, 150 corporations, as well as all the
Australian States and mainland Territories, to share with us
their lifestyles, their cultures and their technological
achievements. The tremendous public response since the
gates opened shows Expo has clearly struck a chord in the
community. The results of the dedication and energy of Llew Edwards,
Ned Williams, and their staffs are here for all to see.
I was delighted to see Llew's tireless efforts for Expo were
recognised recently with his nomination as Queenslander of
the Year.
Today I pay special tribute to Tom Veivers, the
Commissioner-General of Australia's Pavilion, and all those
who have helped to bring the concept of the Australian
Pavilion to reality. 7223
The Australian Pavilion celebrates what being an Australian
means, through a kaleidoscope of images of Australian life
and the land drawn from the present day and the past.
Through the Bicentennial celebrations, the Australian
community is increasingly coming to recognise that for more
than 40,000 years before 1788 there existed in this land a
human civilisation of remarkable sophistication and
adaptability. So I am particularly impressed by the Rainbow Serpent
theatre in the Pavilion, which is a stunning interpretation
of the Aboriginal cultural heritage.
It was a tremendous privilege to see at first hand at the
Barunga Festival in the Northern Territory last weekend the
strength and resilience of Aboriginal culture.
World Expo 88 has attracted many visitors from around the
world. As Prime Minister I extend a very warm welcome to
all who are visiting Australia to share this great
celebration of human achievement. Please feel at home
during your stay with us.
We expect two million international visitors to come to
Australia during 1988 twice the number of overseas
tourists who visited Australia in 1983.
The tourism industry's ability to generate employment and
foreign exchange earnings make it an important contributor
to the Australian economy, and one which will play a
significant role in our future prosperity.
Tourism is also significant in a less tangible sense.
While Expo 88 is bringing the world to Australia, it is also
giving Australians the opportunity of showing the world the
qualities of our country and our national character.
On its national day at Expo, Australia is proudly showing
the world what we are capable of: not just our culture, our
lifestyle, our landscape, our sport and leisure activities
but our industry, our political freedoms, our new
technology, our plans for the future.
It is an inestimable pleasure and privilege to be Prime
Minister during our Bicentennial year to know that we are
showing all this to the world not just on a special day like
today, our national day at Expo, but every day of the year.
Millions of overseas tourists, and millions of Australians,
are seeing an enduringly important transition underway in
this country the emergence of a new, competitive, vigorous
economy capable of securing sustainable prosperity for all
its citizens as we enter our third century. 7224
That is the best message of Australia's National Day and it
is one which I have great pride in passing on to you and in
urging you in turn to pass on to your work colleagues, your
friends and your family when you return home. 7225