Australian Parliamentary Delegation Visits Chile and Peru

Strong and growing commercial and educational linkages were the focus of a November visit to Chile and Peru by an Australian parliamentary delegation led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Mr David Hawker MP.

The visit came at an exciting time for Australia’s relations with Latin America. Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley was in Australia in early November and together with his Australian counterparts, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Trade Minister Warren Truss, announced that Australia and Chile would take the necessary steps to begin negotiations of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (see separate article). Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr Hawker said; “Our visit to Chile has convinced us that the recent announcements on developing an FTA, and working towards a bilateral double taxation agreement, have come at an opportune moment in the bilateral relationship.”

Mr Hawker and the delegation attended the Chilean Congress and were received by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, HE Antonio Leal, the President of the Senate, HE Eduardo Frei, the Hon Jorge Tarud and the Foreign Relations Committee of the Chamber of Deputies.

The Australians and their Chilean colleagues discussed the similarities between the two countries as mineral and agricultural exporters, the high level of political and economic links, and further opportunities for bilateral cooperation. The Speaker highlighted the large number of Chilean nationals resident in Australia, and the contribution they make to Australia’s vibrant multicultural society. Given the booming commercial ties between Australia and Chile, the delegation also met with Australian business representatives and inspected two major Australian investments in Chile.

The group visited Pacific Hydro’s hydroelectric power facilities on the Cachapoal River in the VIth Region. Their program also included a tour of the BHP Billiton majority owned Escondida mine in the Second Region and projects supported by Escondida’s community projects foundation.

In Peru, the delegation met the Prime Minister, Jorge del Castillo, Foreign Minister, Jose Antonio García Belaunde, and members of the Peru Australia Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Foreign Minister noted the visit was the most senior level Australian delegation Peru had received in many years. Topics of discussion included cooperation during Australia and Peru's years as APEC hosts in 2007 and 2008, opportunities for further Australian commercial involvement in Peru, particularly in the fields of agribusiness and mining, as well as the growing bilateral links in education.

The parliamentarians also visited two projects supported by the Embassy's Direct Aid Program run by Australian nuns from the Sisters of Mercy Order, and were impressed by the impact the projects were having in an impoverished community in Lima. Both projects involve providing women with the skills and confidence required to earn an income to provide for their families. The visit also coincided with Mr Truss' announcement that Peru had been accepted as a member of the Cairns Group, and in his meetings with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, the Speaker welcomed the opportunity this provided both countries to work closer together in trade liberalisation.