Consulat Général d'Australie
Nouméa
Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis et Futuna

ANCBF 2015

Forum d'Affaires Australie-Nouvelle-Calédonie 2015

Discours de Mme Jenny Da Rin

It is a pleasure to be speaking to you here today in Noumea. The Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, sends her regards and wishes us every success for this Forum.

Noumea is one of Australia’s oldest overseas missions. Indeed, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Australian representation in New Caledonia in 1940. This longstanding Australian engagement in New Caledonia is testament to the depth and strength of the relationship, which is built on enduring political and economic ties and strong people-to-people links.

As Denise Fisher, a former Consul-General here in Noumea, wrote in a recent article on ‘France in the South Pacific: an Australian perspective’, “New Caledonia manifestly became strategically important to Australia’s foreign policy from the early days of the Second World War, as de Gaulle moved early to establish his support over that of Vichy authorities there and as nickel exports to Japan ceased, both with direct Australian assistance. It was in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, where Australia established what was only its fourth diplomatic mission in 1940, well before it had a mission in Paris, in order to monitor Australian interests as war clouds gathered. From New Caledonia, the American allies launched the Pacific battles fundamental to the defence of Australia during World War II. And it was in Noumea that, after the war, the first institution of regional cooperation was established in 1947, the South Pacific Commission (SPC), now the Secretariat for the Pacific Community”.

So I think this is a perfect time to have a conversation about the future of our business and investment links with New Caledonia.

The Australian government strongly supports economic growth and a dynamic private sector – both in Australia and abroad. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has made this the cornerstone of our foreign policy.

Why?

Because we believe that economic growth is vital for a strong and open society. With growth, comes opportunity. Government can help, but it is the private sector that makes it happen.

ECONOMIC AND TRADE OVERVIEW

The Australian Government is well aware of the strength and depth of the Australia-New Caledonia business relationship. It is a little known fact that New Caledonia is one of Australia’s top 25 export destinations in terms of the number of Australian companies doing business here.

In turn, Australia is ranked as the third highest destination for New Caledonian merchandise exports. Australia is also the third highest source of imported merchandise into New Caledonia, including coal and liquefied propane and butane.

Within the Pacific, New Caledonia stands out as a pillar of economic strength, and is a natural partner for Australian businesses. New Caledonia’s GDP growth has been far better than the regional average, growing steadily at around 3.5 per cent on average each year for the last ten years. New Caledonia is also, of course, a significant player on the world nickel stage, holding roughly 6 per cent of global production as at 2013.

Key areas of economic exchange are in the mining and tourism sectors, but beyond this there are a number of other important established and emerging markets. We believe that there is significant untapped potential in the Australia-New Caledonia trade and economic relationship. We want to work closely with New Caledonia over coming years on issues of mutual interest. To this end, this is an important forum to discuss opportunities to grow that relationship.

MINING

On the mining front, we continue to be optimistic about New Caledonia’s nickel future. In a recent visit to Noumea, ANZ’s Chief Economist for the Asia-Pacific, Glenn Maguire, was also optimistic. Mr Maguire cited new investments and a potential recovery of global nickel prices as the basis for his positive outlook. He also recognised the downside risks, given some of the production problems currently faced in the local industry, and volatile prices in 2014.

There are also still plenty of opportunities for Australian businesses in the New Caledonian mining sector. The confirmed nickel reserves in New Caledonia are second in size only to our own. New Caledonia’s mining sector has moved into the production phase, but opportunities exist for supply – including engineering products and services, as well as to trade in diversified areas in the sector. In particular, Australian expertise in specialised mining, education technologies and services could benefit the sector. There are a number of Australian companies in the mining services and technologies sector who are currently working with New Caledonian mines, helping solve technical problems requiring specialised or niche knowledge.

TOURISM

On the tourism front - Australian tourist arrivals into New Caledonia continue to grow; in 2014 they increased by 15 per cent on 2013 numbers. Indeed, cruise passengers numbered nearly 250,000 in 2014, with 85 per cent of passengers Australian nationals. The passengers are estimated to have spent AUD18.8 million in New Caledonia, 60 per cent of which was spent on shore excursions. There are opportunities to grow short stay and longer stay markets and eco-tourism.

Less than two years ago, the Australian Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Carnival Australia for cooperation across the Pacific. The tangible results of this type of partnership are evident and will have positive impacts for the people of Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. Benefits will include increased local employment and better infrastructure. We are keen to grow these types of public-private partnerships and I would welcome New Caledonian businesses looking to model this approach in innovative ways to grow prosperity.

OTHER INDUSTRIES

Beyond mining and tourism, there are a range of other established and emerging markets which have untapped potential. Solar and wind power, bio-fuel energy, waste and water management, building and construction – these are all areas where Australian technological know-how can make a difference. Cooperation on technical standards has proved productive to date and is an area we would like to progress further with New Caledonia.

We will hear in greater detail today about the New Caledonian Government’s project to examine the use of standards in construction. The Government has approached Standards Australia and their French counterpart, AFNOR, to look into developing a clear and workable framework for the use of different international standards in the local construction industry. Such a framework would give construction companies choice in their use of standards and products, and provide consumers with greater quality assurance.

And let’s not forget agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the more established markets for liquefied propane and butane, and civil engineering equipment and parts.

Australia is also targeting education, and through ‘Future Unlimited’ we are raising awareness of Australia’s high quality education sector. We are also re-focusing our Australia Awards Scholarships program to better attract high-performing students from the French Collectivities.

CONCLUSION

We have much to gain in combining forces, sharing expertise and asserting our desire to win market share. Many of you here today are playing an important part in developing this potential. The Australian Government also wants to participate. Australia is also supporting economic growth in the region. Australia’s Pacific Partnership with the International Finance Corporation, for example, has leveraged $320 million in new private sector investments and improved economic opportunities for over 12,000 people.

I look forward to another 75 years and more of a strong and prosperous relationship between New Caledonia and Australia. I wish you well with the forum.