Australians assist with earthquake relief

The ACBC has played a significant role assisting victims of the Sichuan earthquake writes ACBC Chairman Kevin Hobgood-Brown.

Immediately after the earthquake struck Sichuan province in May, the ACBC launched an appeal with its members to raise funds to be used in the relief effort. In addition to the efforts of the Council itself, individually many of our members independently donated funds, material and other support for the earthquake relief efforts in China. From arranging for the deployment of heavy equipment used in excavation, to the delivery of portable power generation units, two-way radio sets, lighting systems and other essential equipment, ACBC members responded quickly and generously.

In response to our appeal for funds for the relief effort, ACBC members in Australia contributed generously, with in excess of A$120,000 being raised. On July 17, Immediate Past ACBC Chairman, Warwick Smith AM, Paul Csoban, Executive Director ACT for the Australian Red Cross, and I attended a small gathering at the Chinese Embassy in Canberra graciously hosted by Ambassador Zhang Junsai. I delivered a cheque from the ACBC to the Australian Red Cross for immediate use in Sichuan. Paul Csoban received the cheque on behalf of the Red Cross and briefly summarised some of the Australian Red Cross activities in Sichuan. The Australian Red Cross has deployed personnel to Sichuan and has donated money and material to the earthquake affected areas. Ambassador Zhang thanked the members of the Australia China Business Council for their concern and for their generosity.

He outlined the tremendous efforts that the Chinese government at all levels has undertaken to provide relief. He also commented on the extraordinary sense of volunteerism in which private citizens have been helping each other in connection with the Sichuan disaster. ■

LUNCH WITH NSW PREMIER IEMMA

The Premier of NSW the Hon Morris Iemma MP addressed over 100 ACBC NSW members at a lunch in July. The Premier spoke of the successful NSW Government mission he led to China in May of this year and of the strong foundation between China and the state of NSW. He spoke of his government's commitment to strengthen the relationship and to establish fresh cooperation and partnerships in the areas of trade and investment, tourism, education and research. ■

WAYNE SWAN ADDRESSES ACBC MEMBERS

Australian Treasurer, Wayne Swan, gave his first speech since travelling to China in June at an Australia China Business Council Victoria forum in July.

During the lunch the Treasurer discussed China's extraordinary growth and the opportunities for Australia.

"So big has China's economy become and so rapid has been its expansion, that over the past five years China's growth has accounted for nearly one quarter of the total growth in global output," the Treasurer said.

The Treasurer also said Australia's economic engagement with China was not just about commodities.

He said Australia's education exports had increased at four times the rate of growth of manufactured exports, and five times the rate of growth of resource exports.

"Australia's teachers now contribute as much to our exports as meat, wheat and wool put together," he said.

The Treasurer said that investment in Australia by Chinese organisations had also grown significantly and that between 2005 and 2007, Australia approved less than $10 billion in proposed investment from mainland China, but that since the election in November, the value of applications for proposed investment from mainland China had reached almost $30 billion.

"I have approved a Chinese investment proposal on average once every nine days since coming into office," Mr Swan said.