David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

I present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to Denmark and Sweden on 16 to 27 October 2005. I am pleased to be able to table this report on the parliamentary delegation that I led to Denmark and Sweden. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen relations between our parliament and the parliaments of Denmark and Sweden. In recent years, government-to-government and people-to-people relations have been growing as we have found many issues of common interest which we share with these Scandinavian countries. These include promotion of free trade, combating terrorism and improving the environment.

The delegation’s visit sought to ensure that the parliamentary dimension to our relationship with Denmark and Sweden also received a boost. It also provided an opportunity to gain a better understanding of key issues currently under consideration within the European Union. Danish and Swedish parliamentarians with whom we met emphasised the importance of strengthening contacts between parliamentarians as a way to promote broader cooperation on issues where we share similar approaches.

The delegation was impressed by the strength of the parliamentary committee system in both Denmark and Sweden. Parliamentary committees in those countries play a vital and very active role in scrutinising both legislation and government administration. From discussions held with Danish and Swedish parliamentary committees, it was evident that there is a range of issues on which we can share information and ideas. These include security, immigration, the ageing population, work-family balance, labour market reform and the environment, to name a few. The delegation was also impressed by the fact that the Danish and Swedish parliaments both determine their own budgets. This helps to reinforce the independence of their parliaments.

Throughout the visit, it was evident to the delegation that Australia is highly regarded in both Denmark and Sweden. The royal marriage of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary and the birth of their son have given an extra boost to the relationship with Denmark. The delegation was thrilled to arrive in Denmark the day after the royal birth. The delegation’s visit also preceded last year’s successful visit to Australia by the King and Queen of Sweden.

The delegation found there are significant opportunities for broadening links with Denmark and Sweden in areas such as education and research. The delegation was impressed by the commitment of Denmark and Sweden to research and development.

During its time in Denmark, the delegation was fortunate to visit the Foulum Agricultural Research Centre, a most impressive centre on the largest Danish island of Jutland. There the delegation met with a range of Danish research scientists and an Australian research scientist, Dr Mark Henryon, who are working on a range of interesting projects aimed at improving agricultural production and ensuring better environmental outcomes. While these scientists noted that there are contacts between our countries, they said we would greatly benefit from more formalised contacts between our research institutions.

The delegation visited Sweden shortly after the announcement that two Australians, Robin Warren and Barry Marshall, had been named as Nobel Laureates. We were fortunate to visit the Nobel Museum in Stockholm and found out that its Centennial Exhibition was not scheduled to visit Australia. The delegation urges the government to examine whether it may be possible to bring the exhibition to Australia, given Australia’s proud association with the Nobel Prize. The meetings and briefings the committee had on energy and environmental issues were also of considerable interest. Information from those briefings is outlined in the delegation’s report.

The delegation thanks the Danish and Swedish parliaments for the warmth of their welcome and for the informative program they developed for the delegation’s visit. The delegation also thanks our ambassadors to Denmark and Sweden, Matthew Peek and Richard Rowe, and their staff for the tremendous support provided to the delegation. We are also grateful to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Parliamentary Library and the Parliamentary Relations Office for their contributions to ensuring the success of the visit. I also take this opportunity to thank the delegation’s deputy leader, the member for Chisholm, Anna Burke, and the other delegation members for their work and commitment throughout the delegation. Finally, on behalf of all delegates, I would like to thank the delegation secretary, Andres Lomp, whose excellent work in supporting the delegation was a significant factor in the success of the visit. I commend the report to the House.

See this speech in context