Bob Baldwin (Paterson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel) Share this | Hansard source

I present the report of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to Canada and Mexico, from 18 April to 1 May 2009, and seek leave to make a statement in connection with the report.

Leave granted.

I rise to speak to the report of the official parliamentary delegation visit to Canada and Mexico. I had the honour of being the deputy leader of this Australian parliamentary delegation between 18 April and 20 April 2009. The aims and objectives of the delegation visit were clearly laid out and largely achieved, despite the visit to Mexico being curtailed due to the outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus. For the preparatory work, I thank Lyn Witheridge of the Parliamentary Relations office, DFAT and the Parliamentary Library.

The strong ties between Australia and Canada have been forged over many, many decades through both trade and military campaigns. At the Anzac Day ceremony at the Canadian Forces College on 25 April, I was reminded that a Canadian soldier was killed at Gallipoli whilst serving with the Australian and New Zealand forces. Whilst I was honoured to have read the Ode, I was truly moved to witness the hundreds of Australian and New Zealand expats come together with Turks and Canadians, all paying respect to each nation’s heroes.

The meetings with the National Parliament of Canada in Ottawa and the provincial parliaments of Quebec and Toronto canvassed a multitude of issues from climate change, and, of course, their modelling of an emissions trading scheme, and the need to work with the US government rather than as a stand-alone anticompetitive model, though to indigenous land rights, mining and other trade opportunities. Whilst the two-way trade merchandise alone is in excess of $3.8 billion, the Hunter Valley is a direct beneficiary as a part of the $250 million wine trade.

I was honoured to meet with the Hon. Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, where in discussions I raised the question of why there was to be a withdrawal of their troops from Afghanistan in 2011. He detailed to the delegation, just days after the loss of 21-year-old trooper Karine Blais, the difficulties in explaining to his nation why Canadians, in particular a young Canadian woman, should be laying down their lives for a country where the government wants sharia law, which denies equal rights to women. Australia is well served by His Excellency Mr Justin Brown, High Commissioner to Canada, and his highly effective team. I thank them for their efforts, both individually and collectively.

I need to make it clear that the delegation’s visit to Mexico was undertaken in full knowledge of the outbreak of the H1N1 virus and the threat assessments provided at the time. Our diplomatic relationships with Mexico started 43 years ago, and it was the view of the delegation that it was important to show by our visitation solidarity and concern for the health of the people of Mexico and support for the work that was being done to contain the spread of the disease in very difficult circumstances. Despite the difficulties, productive meetings were held in Hidalgo, discussing trade and investment opportunities, and in Mexico City with a range of government officials. The relationship and a sign of appreciation were reflected in the standing ovation to the delegation as we introduced by the President on the floor of the Senate.

The energy sector in Mexico is an important element in our trade relationships, with increasing opportunities in LNG and coal. I would like to acknowledge the hard work that has been done by Her Excellency Ms Katrina Cooper, Ambassador to Mexico, and her team in providing opportunity and success for my region in continuing to provide coal to Mexico. Ambassador Cooper recently visited Australia, and it was an honour to organise, through the generous hospitality of Xtrata, a visit to both open-cut and underground mining operations, so that, when she speaks of Australian coal, she can speak from the visualisation and understanding of the industry firsthand. At dinner meetings with the Business Association of Mexico, Australia and New Zealand, I witnessed the strength of our business relationships with Mexico, adequately fostered by our ambassador.

As a nation, we are indeed very fortunate to have professional and passionate officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in our overseas missions. Overall, I was duly impressed with the dedication, direction, accomplishments and networks of our mission staff. I thank them all for their efforts in ensuring that the visit was a success. I also thank the members of the delegation—delegation leader, the Hon. Senator John Hogg; the Hon. Dick Adams MP; Mr Barry Haase MP; Senator the Hon. Bill Heffernan; the Hon. John Murphy MP; and Ms Belinda Neal MP—and their spouses for their professional input and high-quality company. I pay special thanks to the secretary of the delegation, Mr Nick Tate, and the senior adviser to the President of the Senate, Mr Gerard Martin, for their tireless work in difficult and trying circumstances during the trip.

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