Flying visit

AMBASSADORS and consul generals descended on WA this week for a three-day visit that took them down to Margaret River and north to Karratha for a brief on Australian Liquefied Natural Gas, and the Woodside and Hamersley Iron projects.

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer and the secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dr Ashton Calvert, accompanied the 50-strong contingent from the Canberra diplomatic corp. In all, 37 heads of mission and 20 spouses attended, from a total of 82 diplomatic missions living in Canberra.

The familiarisation visit aims to encourage diplomats to experience life beyond the national capital and to see first hand the economic opportunities and social and cultural diversity.

The itinerary included a presentation by the Premier Geoff Gallop, a briefing by State Government and Chamber of Commerce Officials, industry visits to the Centre for Medical and Surgical Skills and Cooperative Bulk Handling and a presentation on the Perth International Arts Festival, as well as an overnight stay in Margaret River. It is the third annual visit by the diplomatic corps to a State capital.

In the past two years, Adelaide and Hobart were visited.