Tasmania's Place in the Asian Century

Monday, 19 December 2011

``Mapping future interactions within our Asian neighbourhood is crucial for Tasmania as we recognise that we are positioned in the fastest growing region in the world,'' Senator Lisa Singh said today.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has invited public submissions to the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper to encourage discussion about how Asia's growth is changing the world in which we live.
Senator Lisa Singh is working with Dr Andrew Leigh MP to facilitate Federal Labor Party engagement on the White Paper, on behalf of the Prime Minister.
Senator Singh said the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper would examine the opportunities for engagement and help the nation take advantage of them.
``This will undoubtedly be the Asian Century and Tasmania has so much to gain from it,'' Senator Singh said.
``We already enjoy economic benefits from the many international students who are engaged in tertiary education in Tasmania, and we also have a growing export market, particularly with regard to fresh produce.''
``The greatest opportunity for growth and development, an increasing number of consumers and the biggest export markets, are at our doorstep.''
The White Paper will set out a strategic framework that will be used to guide Australia through the Asia Century.
It will examine the domestic economic and social opportunities and challenges of the Asian Century for Australia, including; the opportunities for deepening engagement with Asia across the board, in the economy, through science and technology collaboration, clean energy, education, business-to-business and people-to-people links and culture.
``Many Tasmanian businesses and industries are already engaging with the Asian region and I encourage them to submit a response to the paper.
``This is about sharing our knowledge so together we can take advantage of the opportunities that are available to us as a nation and within our immediate region.
``It is important that we think more about how we build stronger relations with our neighbours to benefit our community and strengthen our economic participation in our region, such as through increasing the languages we learn to include those of our Asian neighbours.''
Submissions are due by 26 February 2012 and more information is available at www.asiancentury.dpmc.gov.au .
ENDS: For more information please call Eliza Grey on 0411 444 550.