CONFIDENTIAL
CALL ON SECRETARY OF STATE BY SENATOR EVANS, AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR
FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE, 14 MAY 1990
BACKGROUND
References
A Canberra telno 419
B
Canberra telno 66
C
Canberra telno 256
D
Hong Kong BTC telno 118
HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
1.
Australia is one of the major emigrant countries for Hong Kong people and we know that Senator Evans is generally sympathetic to the problems that Hong Kong faces with the exodus of talented
people, but Australia are still reluctant to take special measures.
They are one of the major trading partners of Hong Kong, their
fourth largest market for exports, and obviously realise it is in their own interests to keep Hong Kong prosperous and stable. Australian companies in Hong Kong have pressed the government to grant some form of assurances for their locally engaged staff.
2. The Australian Government take the view that their existing worldwide immigration policy gives sufficient flexibility and scope for certain categories of persons eg employees of Australian companies in Hong Kong and other businessmen, in practical terms to
defer permanent residence in Australia for a number of years after
having been granted residency status. Such arrangements do help but
are not without inconvenience to the individuals concerned ie they would have to 'touch base' in Australia and obviously this system would still, initially at least, encourage emigration from Hong
Kong.
3. The Australians are in the process of reviewing their overall
policy on Hong Kong including immigration. We have also asked them
to consider a form of approved Secondment Scheme.
FAYAPF
CONFIDENTIAL