APPENDIX (1)
BARRIE WIGGHAM/AUST PAGE 12
6/
reaction: As previously advised, MTIA is probably the most respected and vocal of the industry lobby groups. Many of their members are involved in Hong Kong/China and it is apparent that many are having second thoughts. There is a clear need to maintain this contact and to begin an information flow to and through them.
A very useful meeting.
CANBERRA: Friday 2/3: 9.30.am: British High Commission, hosted by
Sir John Coles. Private meeting - refer Barrie Wiggham.
CANBERRA: Friday 2/3: 2.30.pm: Canberra Times briefing hosted by
Christin Hull, editor. Also attended in part by Mike Taylor, chief-of-staff.
An obvious lack of knowledge of the post-1997 situation. Hull initially seemed to have a negative view of the outlook but was prepared to listen. He seemed to understand more of the Vietnam refugee situation. Said he would like to maintain contact and receive information.
reaction: Continuing information flow and regular contact would probably pay dividends. Might be worth getting Hull up to Hong Kong sometime.
CANBERRA: Friday 2/3: 4.30.pm: Media Briefing
G
National Press Club, attended by Australian Financial Review (Bronwyn Young), The Australian (Paul Downie), Melbourne Herald (Karen Middleton), Murdoch Group (David Washington, diplomatic correspondent), UPI (John Rogers), Australian Associated Press (Craig Skehan) and the West Australian.
A lack of detailed knowledge on the Basic Law and proposals for Hong Kong post-1997 was clearly evident. Questions ranged over Vietnamese refugees and the brain drain/emigration and specifically whether Barrie Wiggham had come to talk about migration/passports with the Australian Government. Barrie said this was not in his brief (they did not quite believe this response). A tape of the briefing is on hand.
reaction: A very useful briefing despite the fact that many of the more senior reporters we would like to reach and who would normally attend were tied up with election reporting, many of them interestate on the campaign trail.
The danger in such briefings in Canberra is always the reporter chasing the quick headline but there is an overwhelming need to reach the Canberra Press Gallery despite the risks. Any senior Hong Kong officials with an ability to handle the media who visit in future should consider a briefing. In this case, there appeared to be a couple of converts, if only on the refugee question (they had not known that Chinese illegals are returned to China).
In the interim, some relevant information should be made available whenever possible to Press Gallery members and access to some government officials in Hong Kong suggested to some selected senior commentators.