APPENDIX (1)
BARRIE WIGGHAM/AUST PAGE 8
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SYDNEY: Monday 26/2: 3.15.pm: News Limited (Murdoch Group) briefing
hosted by Warren Beeby, editorial manager. Also present, David Armstrong, editor of the Australian, editors of the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mirror, foreign affairs editor of the Australian, and David Evans, special writer for the Daily Mirror.
This is essentially the editorial board of the Murdoch Group and the visit was obviously taken very seriously. A range of questions on 1997, investment outlook and refugee situation. A professional group who gave a good hearing (something of a contrast to the more lightweight Sydney Morning Herald group).
impressions: Obviously a generally shallow understanding of the situation and the Basic Law. Contact should be maintained and flow of information commenced as soon as possible.
SYDNEY: Tuesday 27/2: 8.30.am: Wal Murray, Deputy Premier, NSW (also
Minister for State Development and Public Works).
More of a courtesy call. Murray commented that he had just returned from Taiwan (stopping over briefly in Hong Kong, but not officially) and that he was the "most senior" Australian politician to visit Taiwan. Suggested he would be interested in looking at Hong Kong if the opportunity presented itself.
reaction: Need to follow-up for potential mission to Hong Kong (led by Murray?) offering government meetings - please read in conjunction with following report.
SYDNEY: Tuesday 27/2: NSW Department of State Development hosted by
Dr John Saunders, Director-General. Also present, Robin Amy, Assistant Director International, and Y.S. Cheung, Senior Project Officer International.
Saunders was previously deputy managing director of Austrade and has come in to head up this new department, which merges several divisions/departments inherited by the present Liberal government from the Labor side.
Saunders made it clear that he is seriously intent on examining opportunities in the region and indicated that the government was looking at a major initiative in Taiwan. In this context they were interested in looking at potential in Hong Kong and could send people over to examine the situation.
was
Saunders pointed out strongly the lack of formal communication/ links with the Hong Kong Government and expressed the hope that something could happen in this area. All three asked for more information and continuing information, particularly on PADS.
reaction: Saunders seems likely to get things moving and would no doubt look seriously at Hong Kong if offers of assistance in terms of arranging government level briefings/contacts forthcoming. There is a need to maintain this contact and to put some special effort into providing Saunders and the department with sound information on political/economic/trade/industrial development matters on an ongoing basis. Bear in mind that the Federal Government/Australian Trade Commission should be kept informed as a matter of courtesy at least should a visit/mission be mooted.
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