PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 2 March, 1991
I have decided that the Minister for Trade and Overseas
Development, Dr Blewett, will lead a bipartisan mission to the
United States.
The mission will meet representatives of both the US Congress
and the US Administration to convey Australia's grave concern
about the damage being done to our farmers by the Export
Enhancem~ ent Program ( EEP).
The mission was suggested by the Leader of the National Party in
response to the escalating trade subsidies war between the EC
and the United States. I have today written to the Leader of
the Opposition, seeking his nominees for the mission.
Congressional consideration of the EEP for 1991 is imminent
possibly as early as 11 March 1991; therefore, the bipartisan
inission needs to visit the United States next week.
Of course, the principal offender in corrupting international
agricultural trade has been the European Community. But the US
response to these policies through the EEP is causing our
farmers increasing hardship.
The mission will convey our concerns to the US about the
damaging side-effects of EEP, and, at the very least, seek to
moderate its impact on Australia and our farmers.
Obviously, it is imrportant for us to continue to make our strong
representations to the Europeans who started the trade war, and
whose export subsidies are double those of the US.
Australia, through our leadership of the Cairns Group, has been
at the forefront in the Uruguay Round negotiations in imploring
the Europeans to engage in meaningful reform of agricultural
trade. In this recard, the restart of negotiations in the
Uruguay Round is encouraging.
The Europeans are now engaged in an internal process of reform
of the Common Agricultural Policy. As soon as the time is
right, we will send a similar delegation to Europe, although
this is likely to te some months away.
TIhe mission, which will leave on Wednesday, will comprise
Dr Blewett; Mr BriEn Courtice, MP, Chairman of the Country
Taskforce; a Shadowr Minister and Opposition backbencher; and Mr
John Allwright, PrE: Sident of the Natiotial Farmers Federationl. I
Self-reliance means the capacity to defend yourself, if ever
that is necessary. And in this sense, these vessels are the
most modern and capable conventionally-powered submarines in
the world. Based on the west coast of Australia they will
substantially increase our capacity to defend our shores.
But defence self-reliance means much more than this. Any
country which aspires to defence self-reliance must be
capable not only of operating the necessary defence
equipment on which its security depends but also of
constructing and maintaining it.
In this sense too, these submarines are a proof of our selfreliance.
It is Australian skill, ingenuity and sheer hard
work which is making this project the success it is. More
than seventy cents; of each dollar to be spent on the
platform work on these submarines are to be spent in
Australia. Sub-contracts for over $ 1 billion have already
been let in Australia with another $ 900 million of work
being performed by Australian Submarine Corporation.
So the project refutes the view that too often pervades
Australianb thinking that if something is technologically
demanding then we should buy it from overseas.
I would like to pay tribute to Dr Williams and the people of
the Australian Submarine Corporation, to Rear Admiral Hughes
and his project team, and to the entire workforce, whose
combined efforts have brought us to this point of laying the
keel of Farncoinb. You are right on budget, and right on
schedule. The success has relied too on the support and
encouragement of the South Australian Government, and others
around the country who believed in the ability of Australian
industry to construct submarines in this country.
This project then represents change and it represents the
future. But in ore respect, however, it stands for the
traditions of the past. The names of these vessels have
been selected to commemorate sailors of the Royal Australian
Navy who embody the finest traditLions of service ond
dedication. Admiral Harold Farncomb, in war and in peace,
stood for and advanced these traditions and he is justly
honoured today.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to pay
tribute to the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Mike
Hudson. Today marks his last formal ceremony before
retiring . at the endof. next week, after a Naval career
spanning nearly forty fuur years. Hie has been the longest
serving Chief of Naval Staff since Vice Admiral Collins who
retired in 1955.
in the past six years he has provided dynamic leadership in
the development of standards and directions which I believe
the Navy will value for many years to come.
He has served with great distinction in ships and
establishments of the Royal Australian Navy with an
outstanding devotion to this country and his profession.
I would now like to invite him, and Mrs Farncomb, to help
lay the keel for this new submarine.
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