E&OE……………………………………………………………………………………
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, has Mark Waugh called it quits too early?
PRIME MINISTER:
Look, I just want to take the opportunity for thanking him for the years of pleasure that he’s bought to Australian cricket followers, the joy that his stylish batting has been to watch. He’s probably one of the two or three most elegant batsmen I’ve ever seen and he’s also been a magnificent slip-fielder. He’s had a very long career as an Australian player and I thank him for what he’s put into Australian cricket and I know that I speak for cricket lovers all around our country in saying that.
JOURNALIST:
What’s your message to business leaders here today and also to the ministers you’ll be meeting later to try and enhance some trade links?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well at a bilateral basis I think the relationship has got a lot better, internationally the message is one of practising what we all preach in relation to freer and more open trade. And I’ll talk to you later.
[ends]