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CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER
PARLIAMENTARY LUNCHEON FOR PRIME MINISTER LEE KUAN YEW
CANBERRA 16 NOVEMBER 1988
Last year I had the honor of an invitation to visit
Singapore-to deliver th ' e annual Singapore Lecture. It was
an invitation I was very pleased to accept, and I chose as
my theme " The Challenge of Change in the Asia/ Pacific
Region". AS I told my audience on that occasion, there could be few
more appropriate places than Singapore to discuss the
challenge of change in our region. For in many ways
Singapore is a model of the region's increasing importance
in the global economy; it has proven itself a paragon of
flexibility in the face of changing circumstances.
Ladies and gentlement, today it is our very great pleasure
to welcome the man whose leadership and vision has been
crucial, over a long and distinguished career, in making
Singapore one of the success stories of our times. There
can be no question that our guest today, Prime Minister Lee
Kuan Yew, is one of the great figures of our region, and of
the Commonwealth, and it is indeed an honour and a pleasure
to welcome him and his party to Canberra today.
Prime Minister, this Bicentennial year has been a year of
celebration for Australia, a year in which we have received
many distinguished visitors from all corners of the world.
But let me say that your visit looms large on our
Bicentennial calendar, and we welcome you today as a special
friend of Australia.
It has been gratifying to note during the course of the year
that the friendship between our two countries and peoples
has been underlined repeatedly by Singapore's participation
in Bicentennial events, including Expo 88 in Brisbane, the
International Bicentennial Trade Fair in Melbourne and,
most recently, at the Aerospace Exposition in Sydney.
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Prime Minister, during your time in government you have seen
profound changes take place both in Singapore and in
Australia : the development of Singaporean nationhood, and
the emergence of the Singaporean economy as a powerful force
in an increasingly dynamic region and, for our part, our
transition from an inward-looking, protectionist, sometimes
xenophobic presence perched on the edge of Asia to a nation
more thoroughly and effectively enmeshed in the
opportunities and challenges of regional development.
Under your leadership, Singapore has always been at the
forefront of this regional dynamism. Apart from brief
downturns this decade, you have maintained consistently high
growth rates over the last twenty-five years, and your per
capita income has risen rapidly to become one of the highest
in Asia.
I quote such achievementslin order to comment on the means
by which they have been achieved in particular, to note
that your prosperity has been underpinned by an open
approach to international trade, * with virtually no tariffs
and a strong exposure to international market forces. That
Singapore is a leading trading nation is a testament both to
your own leadership and to the drive and commitment of your
people. As you reminded us this morning, Singapore's total
trade is three times its GDP.
At a time when so much needs to be done in cutting back
protectionism and discriminatory policies in the
international economy, the Singapore experience bears
witness to the advantages of a competitive export-oriented
approach to economic growth.
Of course our two economies have very different economic
resources and specialisations. But in an interdependent
world, open, diversified trade for both of us is the key to
enhanced prosperity.
our recognition in Australia of that fact has led us to
undertake a broad-ranging program of structural reform. Our
policies of deregulation and trade liberalisation are
intended to place Australia's manufacturing and services
sectors in a better position to join with Singapore and the
other countries of the region in a more integrated
comme rcial relationship.
In other words, Australia increasin gly recognises that our
future prospeqts depend on our continued ability to'enmesh
ourselves successfully in this region. As my colleague,
John Button, the Minister for Industry, Technology and
Commerce said to you this morning in our talks, over the
last five years Australia's attitude to trade with the.
Asia-Pacific region has transformed from a perception of
threats to a perception of opportunities. 3473
In the early 1950' s, less than 20 per cent of our exports
were to the countries on the western rim of the Pacific.
Today 54 per cent of Australia's exports are destined to
these countries, which in turn provide 41 per cent of our
imports. Among ASEAN nations Singapore is our largest
trading partner, with two-way trade exceeding two billion
Australian dollars in 1987/ 88.
In a time when we may be seeing the emergence of trading
blocs which could have long-term effects on the multilateral
trading system, Australia and Singapore have a common
interest in strengthening multilateralism and contributing
thereby to economic growth and stability for all countries.
Mr Prime Minister, I have concentrated thus far on economic
and trade issues. In so doing I do not wish to understate
the many global and regional issues that are of shared
concern to us both.
As Australia's ASEAN dialogue partner, Singapore has a key
role in our relations with ASEAN which is now entering its
third decade as one of the most successful regional
organisations in the world.,
You and I have discussed many times the issues of a
continuing United States' presence in the Western Pacific
and I know that you are a strong supporter of that presence.
I am also very pleased to note your steadfast support for
the Five Power Defence Arrangements and for a continuing
active Australian defence presence in the region.
Singapore, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty, shares Australia's views about the vital importance
of the Treaty and the need to make every effort to prevent
the spread of nuclear weapons. And our officials are
discussing. Australia's suggested exploration of a regional
effort against the proliferation of chemical weapons
There are many political problems that remain in the region.
We need to face continuing problems in Indo-China, with a
just and lasting resolution to the Cambodia question only
now possibly beginning to emerge, and, with the question of
the refugee outflow from Indo-China still to be resolved.
There is uncertainty in Burma.
There is also however, some cause for optimism, with a more
favourable super-power relationship, an emerging Sino-Soviet
dialogue, continued economic growth in the region and
democratic reform underway in the Republic of Korea.
Singapore's voice in the affairs of the region is always
listened * to with respect.
I was very pleased to note, for example, that in your visit
to Fiji last week, you spoke on the value of racial
tolerance and inter-ethnic harmony. This is an issue in
which you have taken an unyielding and consistent stand in
many international forums, not least in Commonwealth
deliberations on South Africa.
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Singapore has long been regarded as a model of a successful
multicultural society. That success is due in considerable
measure to your own efforts. As in economic matters, your
success in this regard provides a valuable example for the
Asia-Pacific region.
Mr Prime Minister,
Singapore and Australia have traditionally maintained an
excellent dialogue on all issues international, regional
and bilateral no matter how difficult they may be.
Healthy regional relations depend not only on the free flow
of goods and services, but also on the free flow of ideas,
both directly and through the media.
You and I have met many tires in many parts of the world.
we have discussed, dissected, argued over and agreed on many
issues, but always as partners and always as friends.
That partnership and friendship is one that I personally
value. It is one that is valued by all Australians and it
is one which I believe is of benefit to Singapore as well.
It is against this background that Hazel and I are pleased
to have you and Mrs Lee with us today. Your visit allows us
to repay something of the friendship you have shown towards
Australia over your many years as Prime Minister of
Singapore. It seems only fitting that as our Bicentennial
year draws to a close we should receive you as our special
guest. 34 7
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