. A USTALIAQ
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 17 JULY 1977
MINISTER FOR SPECIAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
Mr. John Howard has been appointed Minister for Special Trade
Negotiations with the European Economic Community. He will take
up his position in the near future and conduct his first round
of negotiations in Europe in October and November.
Mr. Howard remains Minister Assisting the Prime Minister. He
will work in close collaboration with the Ministers for Overseas
Trade and for Foreign Affairs.
The Member for Farrer, Mr. W. C. Fife, will become Minister for
Business and Consumer Affairs.
Mr. Howard's appointment has been made because Australia needs
to be represented at the highest level, on a continuing basis,
if the bilateral trade problems facing Australia and the EEC are
to be resolved adequately.
The need for this high level appointment became clear during my
discussions in Europe with the President of the Commission and
with heads of a number of European Governments. The decision to
appoint a Minister to lead these negotiations demonstrates the
importance which Australia places on its trading relations with
Western Europe.
The Common Market countries have a total population of 260 million.
They comprise the world's largest trading bloc, accounting for
$ 300,000 million dollars, or 40% of world trade annually.
Mr. Howard will lead discussions and negotiations with the
governments of the nine member states and the Commission in
Brussels on all bilateral and multilateral economic and trade
matters in which Australia is involved.
These negotiations, as agreed in Brussels with the Commission,
will cover the totality of Australia's trading relations with
Europe, including agricultural items, industrial products and
the supply of raw materials.
The discussions present both sides with the opportunity continually
to review their positions in the forthcoming multilateral trade
negotiations. / Additional ly
Embargoed until 1745F77/ 152
2
Additionally, there will be closer consultation on other issues
of common interest, such as the stance taken by Australia and
by the EEC in the negotiation of international commodity
stabilisation arrangements, such as those now taking place
for sugar and wheat.
Mr. Howard will keep under consideration the question of whether
Australia should develop and formlise a structural framework
between Australia and the EEC, through which trade could be
fostered.
His role will extend to other areas in the international and
commercial field, where problems of interest to Australia could
profitably be discussed with the EEC.
The Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade, Mr. D. H.
McKay, OBE, will be Acting Secretary of the new Department of
the Special Trade Negotiator, in addition to his current duties. S
Mr. Fife entered Federal Parliament in December 1975 after
having been a Member of the N. S. W. Parliament since 1957.
He became the N. S. W. Minister for Mines in 1967, Minister
for Conservation in 1971 and Minister for Power and Assistant
Treasurer in 1972. 0 0