Wiggles beat Rio and WAMMCO in export awards

Hit international children's entertainers the Wiggles have upstaged Western Australia's mining and meat sectors to take off the Australian Exporter of the Year Award.

Resources company Rio Tinto Iron Ore and Katanning-based WAMMCO International - a farmer-owned meat processing co-operative specialising in the processing and export of chilled and frozen lamb products - were presented with national awards in their categories today, but were pipped by the groovy lads in bright coloured skivvies.

Rio Tinto won the Minerals Council of Australia Minerals and Energy Award and WAMMCO International picked up the Austrade Regional Exporter Award at the 2005 Australian Export Award

Below is the full announcement:

MEAT AND MINING PUTS WA AMONG THE EXPORT WINNERS

Two Western Australia-based businesses have been recognised for exporting excellence, taking out the Minerals Council of Australia Minerals and Energy Award and the Austrade Regional Exporter Award at the 2005 Australian Export Awards.

Resources company Rio Tinto Iron Ore and Katanning-based WAMMCO International - a farmer-owned meat processing co-operative specialising in the processing and export of chilled and frozen lamb products - were presented with the awards by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, at a gala dinner celebrating the Australian Export Awards in Sydney tonight.

Mr Vaile congratulated the winners on their achievements and stressed the important role they play in encouraging other Australian businesses to export.

"Tonight we recognise exporters who have invested much time and effort and have demonstrated they have what it takes to compete internationally," Mr Vaile said.

"The Australian Government is pursuing the most ambitious trade liberalisation agenda in Australia's history to secure unprecedented access to international markets for our exporters.

"At the same time, we are ensuring that businesses are supported so they can follow the example set by the Australian Export Award winners and succeed on the world stage," he said.

Taking the overall honours as the 2005 DHL Australian Exporter of the Year was Australia's own fab four, The Wiggles, who have delighted audiences of all ages around the world with their unique brand of entertainment and education.

In addition to the DHL Australian Exporter of the Year Award, The Wiggles also won the Greater Union/Birch Carroll & Coyle Arts and Entertainment Award.

The presentation of the awards to The Wiggles, along with the other 10 category award winners, was the culmination of an eight-month program that saw hundreds of companies big and small from across Australia enter the competition.