WASO cancels Japan tour

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra has announced that this year's tour of Japan, which was backed by the North West Shelf gas joint venture, will not proceed due to the downturn in the Australian and Japanese economies.

A WASO statement is pasted below:

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) and North West Shelf Australia LNG regret to advise that WASO's tour of Japan in 2009 will not proceed due to the sudden economic downturn in the Australian and Japanese economies caused by the global financial crisis.

The North West Shelf Australia LNG-sponsored WASO tour of Japan was intended to celebrate 20 years of LNG exports from the North West Shelf Venture project in Western Australia to customers in Japan, and presented a unique opportunity for the Orchestra to build on its international reputation and showcase the artistic talents of the Orchestra to audiences abroad.

The decision to cancel the tour was made following extensive consultation between WASO, North West Shelf Australia LNG and key stakeholders. In acknowledging that current economic conditions are difficult for everyone concerned, it was agreed that the responsible course of action was not to proceed with the planned tour.

WASO and North West Shelf Australia LNG have a proud association, having previously partnered in 2006 to stage a tour of China to commemorate the export of Australian LNG to China's Guangdong Province.

North West Shelf Australia LNG will continue its partnership with WASO in 2009 in its support of the Composer in Residence position held by James Ledger.

WASO Chairman Janet Holmes à Court said the Orchestra had been honoured to be invited to tour Japan, however acknowledged that vastly changed circumstances meant it was no longer appropriate to continue with the tour.

"A fantastic opportunity was presented to the Orchestra, however given current circumstances this option is no longer viable. Our association with North West Shelf Australia LNG has been a long one and we are delighted that they will continue to support the Orchestra through the composer-in-residence program," Ms Holmes à Court said.

North West Shelf Australia LNG President Peter Cleary thanked the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and the tour promoters in Japan for their efforts to date.

"Although we are sincerely disappointed that we do not have the opportunity to showcase the artistic talent available in Western Australia to the people of Japan, we hope to find other creative ways of working with the Orchestra," Mr Cleary said.

The six participants in the North West Shelf LNG Venture are: BHP Billiton Petroleum (North West Shelf) Pty Ltd, BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd, Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty Ltd, Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy Ltd (Operator).

CNOOC NWS Private Limited is also a member of the North West Shelf Venture but does not have an interest in North West Shelf Venture infrastructure.