Mr MITCHELL - 1995-08-17
This week will see the historic visit of President Ramos of the Philippines to Australia. President Ramos is to visit Darwin next week. What role, if any, is the Northern Territory government playing in facilitating the success of this visit to Australia?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Honourable members would be well aware of the close relationship that has existed between the Northern Territory and the Philippines, particularly the southern Philippines in recent years. A very large number of Filipino Territorians have contributed greatly to the history of the Northern Territory. Indeed, some have been in the Territory for 3 or 4 generations, as long ago as the early pearling days off our coast.
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In recent times, the most prominent subject of publicity about the Philippines and the Northern Territory relates to the live cattle trade which has achieved an all-time high in recent months. We are very fortunate that our Chief Minister developed an extremely close personal relationship with the Ramos administration in his former ministerial role. It ensured that Darwin would be included in the itinerary of this historic visit, the first of a Philippines president to Australia. In recognition of the Chief Ministers relationship with the Philippines, he is to be a guest of honour at an Australia Philippines Business Council function to be held in Sydney tomorrow to coincide with the visit of President Ramos. Further, our Chief Minister has been selected to introduce President Ramos at the Asian Australian Institute when the President makes a keynote address.
The Northern Territory has figured prominently throughout the preparation for the visit of President Ramos. Indeed, the President has accorded us a great honour by agreeing to travel to Darwin and speak to us in the Legislative Assembly. Personally, I am very proud of the relationships that have grown with many countries to our north over the past 20-odd years. The Chief Ministers relationship with President Ramos stands the Territory in good stead as we advance towards the year 2000. It will increase not only the friendship and cooperation between ourselves and the various countries to our north but hopefully, as our trade expands, it will result in more jobs and other benefits for Territorians and for those countries. We are very pleased that we are to have the opportunity to host the President here next week. I am sure that other members look forward, as I do myself, to that visit with great interest.
Members: Hear, hear!
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Honourable members would be well aware of the close relationship that has existed between the Northern Territory and the Philippines, particularly the southern Philippines in recent years. A very large number of Filipino Territorians have contributed greatly to the history of the Northern Territory. Indeed, some have been in the Territory for 3 or 4 generations, as long ago as the early pearling days off our coast.
Page 730
In recent times, the most prominent subject of publicity about the Philippines and the Northern Territory relates to the live cattle trade which has achieved an all-time high in recent months. We are very fortunate that our Chief Minister developed an extremely close personal relationship with the Ramos administration in his former ministerial role. It ensured that Darwin would be included in the itinerary of this historic visit, the first of a Philippines president to Australia. In recognition of the Chief Ministers relationship with the Philippines, he is to be a guest of honour at an Australia Philippines Business Council function to be held in Sydney tomorrow to coincide with the visit of President Ramos. Further, our Chief Minister has been selected to introduce President Ramos at the Asian Australian Institute when the President makes a keynote address.
The Northern Territory has figured prominently throughout the preparation for the visit of President Ramos. Indeed, the President has accorded us a great honour by agreeing to travel to Darwin and speak to us in the Legislative Assembly. Personally, I am very proud of the relationships that have grown with many countries to our north over the past 20-odd years. The Chief Ministers relationship with President Ramos stands the Territory in good stead as we advance towards the year 2000. It will increase not only the friendship and cooperation between ourselves and the various countries to our north but hopefully, as our trade expands, it will result in more jobs and other benefits for Territorians and for those countries. We are very pleased that we are to have the opportunity to host the President here next week. I am sure that other members look forward, as I do myself, to that visit with great interest.
Members: Hear, hear!
Page 731
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016