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Legislative Assembly
 
Australia-Ireland alliance

09 March 2017
Members statements
FRANK McGUIRE  (ALP)

 


Mr McGUIRE (Broadmeadows) — The search for economic development and jobs in Broadmeadows continues through the Australia-Ireland connection. The Bank of Ireland's executive vice-president, Derek Collins, last week toured Broadmeadows, where we discussed investment and job opportunities in Victoria, especially Broadmeadows, based on the strategy Creating Opportunity: Postcodes of Hope. This plan harnesses government, business and civil society to help the transition to new industries and jobs beyond deindustrialisation. Opportunities are increasing to leverage stronger business and economic links, given that Ireland will remain a gateway to Europe. The expansion of economic and cultural ties coordinated through the all-party Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Ireland has led to trade missions and increased business opportunities, which are significant because two-way trade and investment between Australia and Ireland is worth almost €19 billion.

The parliamentary relationship has led to trade missions coming to Melbourne that would otherwise have bypassed Victoria and the successful completion of business deals, according to the chief executive officer of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce, Barry Corr. The connection has benefited my electorate, with a local company about to open a new manufacturing facility and distribution centre, creating an estimated 50 jobs. Further investment from Ireland is being negotiated for a joint venture to provide innovative Australian dairy processing machinery to be used in Europe. Management, customer services, sales and marketing are expected to be run out of Broadmeadows.

Meanwhile, negotiations continue to work towards securing a state visit to Australia by the Irish President, Michael D. Higgins. A conference on innovation and furthering ties will be held during next week's Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce commemoration of St Patrick's Day, which has long enjoyed bipartisan support.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating summed it up best:

Australia without the Irish … would be unimaginable. In fact Australia without the Irish would be unthinkable, Australians without the Irish would be unspeakable.