Victor Perton's Blog

Congratulations to Thomas Klein of Fairmont Hotels & to the Australian American Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco

2012-01-30T03:05:00.009+11:00

Last night the Australian American Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco held its 2012 Chevron
Australia Day Ball compered by the excellent Melburnian/Victorian actor-singer-director Cameron Daddo.
Cameron was the perfect compere engaging the full house with his humour and music. I commend him to
anyone looking for a compere for events in the U.S.A. I thank him for his support in my role as Commissioner.

The Chamber awarded its Ambassador Bill Lane Spirit of Australia Award to Thomas Klein, regional
vice president, California for Fairmont Hotels. Thomas has been a tower of strength to the Australian
community in California and is a leader in the San Francisco community helping with many philanthropic
causes. He has been a great help to our team and is inspiring with his ideas on collaboration and leadership in
our expatriate Australian community.

As always, Nigel Warren, the Australian Consul General, gave a fine speech for the occasion. Congratulations and thanks too to Dawn Lillington, the Director of the Chamber for another successful event. There were many interesting Australian expats at the event including the author Sally James, business folk Andy McKeon of Apple, Gower and Robyn Smith, Larry Marshall and many many others. Chevron's team was there in strength.

The Australia Day Ball was held in Thomas's San Francisco Fairmont. The Fairmont is a great historic hotel having been the scene for many international negotiations including the United Nations Charter. It has a place in the local heart similar to that of the Windsor in Melbourne. Every American President since Taft staying there when in San Francisco.

For Australians working in San Francisco, the Chamber is a fine organisation to meet other Australians and American friends of Australia for business and family fun. Established in 1981, the "Australian American Chamber of Commerce exists to embody, promote and advance the Uniquely Australian Way to Work and Play. This means taking a quintessentially Australian approach to both business and pleasure, allowing for seriousness and fun, success and relaxation."

Last Thank You before I leave the Post of Commissioner to the Americas: Louise Asher

2012-01-29T02:32:00.001+11:00

Today and tomorrow are the last working days before I pass on the baton of Commissioner to the Americas to Michael Kapel who should do a splendid job. He is eager to build on the structures you have helped me build and I hope you welcome him with the same enthusiasm.

I have received many lovely letters, cards and emails from folk wishing me the best. While I have asked them to wait to the end of my statutory role, you can imagine I've also been happy to hear that folk want to employ my services in the future.

One delightful letter I want to share comes from my friend of 35 years, Louise Asher, the Victorian Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business. Along with very nice greetings and good wishes, Louise wrote:

"Your commitment, hard work and enthusiasm in promoting and representing Victoria has been greatly valued and appreciated by the Government. The bilateral government, business and people links you have developed and strengthened in the region have also been of great value to the Department of Business and Innovation and the many Victorian organisations working in-market...."

I share this because of Louise's wise reference to people links. Throughout my time in the job, I have been very conscious that there are already millions of people links between Victoria, Australia and the Americas. My job was to build on those links, strengthen them and make new ones. I have been delighted to see introductions blossom into great business, NGO, government and personal collaborations.

I am proud of my team's efforts in building the Victorians Abroad and then Victorian Connections on-line presence. This has been adopted as a global platform by the Victorian Government. There were very few places in the Americas where we could not find a Victorian and Victorian Connections events delight Australians living in the Americas and our American friends. The platform has enabled self-organizing groups to get together around the world.

We have found linkedin to be very helpful as was facebook. More important still was our collaboration with DFAT, Austrade, the American Australian Association, the Chambers of Commerce, Advance, VECCI, AIG, Committee for Melbourne and I could go on and on. Ambassador Beazley in the U.S.A. has been a great support as have his fellow Ambassadors in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Colombia. My friend, the former Commissioner for Queensland Peter Beatty, was a great collaborator as we agreed it was a big market where we could do best by working. Thousands of people and hundreds of organisations have contributed to my work and thus helped contribute to the prosperity of Victoria & Australia and all the nations of the Americas we have worked in. You know who you are. Thanks to all of you!

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Location:Clay St,San Francisco,United States

An Australia Day surprise from Nigel Warren and the Australian Consulate in San Francisco

2012-01-28T04:47:00.001+11:00

Yesterday, I was delighted to receive an Australia Day commendation from Australia's excellent Consul General to San Francisco, Nigel Warren.

Nigel's commendation (pictured) states:

"The Australian Consulate-General San Francisco commends Mr. Victor Perton for his exceptional commitment and contribution in promoting the State of Victoria and Australia and for strengthening Australia's relationship with San Francisco and United States of America."

These things are always a team effort. The Austrade team and the consulate, let by Nigel, have been great allies and collaborators and we could not have achieved what we have achieved without them. So too the optimism and energy shown by my team in the Victorian Government Business Office in San Francisco has been splendid and made this job as Commissioner a pleasure.

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All the best to North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue who will retire at the end of her term.

2012-01-28T00:10:00.001+11:00

All the best to Governor Bev Perdue who has announced she will not recontest her position in the upcoming elections. Bev was the first woman to be Governor of North Carolina.

Despite a tough road to election day, Bev's announcement was a surprise and she cited corrosive politics as her reason: "We live in highly partisan times, where some people seem more worried about scoring political points than working together to address the real challenges our state faces."

North Carolina like Victoria has seen its economy change substantially over the last 40 years. Like Victoria, it has become known for its high tech industries with thriving sectors including biotech and medical devices, information technology and nanotechnology. Our current economic circumstances differ although we both face similar challenges and opportunities in an ever more competitive world economy. North Carolina's employment rate is 10% vs Victoria's 5%.

I met Governor Perdue at various Biotech Conferences. She and her team have been a model of courtesy and very open to supporting Victorian companies looking for a base in a high-tech community on the east coast in the United States.

A couple of years ago I held an excellent Victorians Abroad event in Chapel Hill. There are many talented Victorians and other Australians living, studying and working in North Carolina as they find it a friendly and hard-working community.

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Location:Powell St,San Francisco,United States

Protect the Middle Class?

2012-01-27T02:11:00.002+11:00

"Republican and Democrat Presidential Candidates are eager to cast themselves as protectors of the middle class." John Bussey, Wall Street Journal today.

It's not only the presidential candidates casting themselves this way. In the wealthiest and most powerful country on earth, what does the middle class need protecting from?

I am moving back to Australia next month. I observe that the Heritage Foundation now ranks Australia as number 3 in Economic Freedom while the U.S.A. has fallen to number 10. Australia has the highest growth in the OECD. Its education and health systems thrive with a good set of choices around the private and government sectors. It's easier for a person to start their own business in Melbourne than almost anywhere in the world.

I am tired of hearing the bleak rhetoric that the middle class is under threat. Australians and Americans of any class are the most prosperous, healthy and entertained people who have ever lived.

All I want from my governments here and at home, is a positive and optimistic rhetoric. I want collaboration between Democrat and Republican, Liberal and Labor. I want long-term plans that will survive changes of administration.

In short, we live the good life in Australia and the U.S.A. Tough times come and go. Community should support those who cannot support themselves. But government as "protector of the middle class" smacks of a nanny state that I hoped we had outgrown.

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Location:Powell St,San Francisco,United States

Very nice Australia Day Message from Hillary Clinton on behalf of President Obama

2012-01-25T12:09:00.003+11:00

Nice email in the intray today. Secretary Clinton sent all we Australians a message for Australia Day:

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to congratulate the Australian people as you celebrate Australia Day this January 26.

As we mark more than six decades of the U.S.-Australia alliance -- an anchor of stability, security and prosperity throughout the world -- we continue to strengthen this friendship and chart a common path forward together. Late last year, President Obama joined Prime Minister Gillard in Australia to reaffirm the depth of our strategic partnership and find new ways to work together to expand stability and opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.

The ties between our people and nations are as close as any. As you celebrate your national day with family, friends, and loved ones, know that the United States stands with you as a committed partner joined by common bonds of friendship and family. I wish all Australians a safe and happy holiday celebration and continued peace and prosperity in the coming year.

Meeting Bill Clinton and Promoting an Aussie Author

2012-01-23T15:00:00.004+11:00

Farewell: Heading to Melbourne & Pleased to advise that Michael Kapel, the Victorian Premier's Chief of Staff, will be my Successor as Commissioner

2012-01-23T13:09:00.031+11:00

As many of you know, my statutory term as Commissioner concludes at the end of the month.

I am looking forward to living in Melbourne, the world's most liveable city. Every statistical analysis as well as feedback from every American who has ever visited verifies Melbourne's position as a great place to raise children and a great environment for business. What will I be doing? First things first, I will take some time out to do some writing and spend time drinking good coffee with good friends. I am then looking forward to returning to global business from my base in Melbourne.

I am delighted to let you know that my successor as Commissioner has now been confirmed. He is Michael Kapel, the Victorian Premier's Chief of Staff. The appointment of the Premier's Chief of Staff as my successor will help us to continue to emphasise the importance of the Americas to the economic future of the State of Victoria.

My family and I have had been a terrific time here in the Americas. San Francisco is a great place to live and spending time with the talented people of Silicon Valley and the rest of the west coast has been great. So too the spread of Victoria's interests across North and South America has led me to understand our place in the world so much better.

Many people were amused that I agreed to take the job in the middle of America's worst recession since the depression. However persistence, hard work and good humour have allowed us to deliver excellent results in foreign direct investment, support of exporters, Access America and in our broader role of government & cultural relations. The Australian accent and the American love of all things Australian opens many doors.

The role of Victorian Commissioner to the Americas is a very positive one selling the attributes of Melbourne, Victoria and Australia to Americans North and South. These days this includes attracting more Americans to help fill our skills shortages.

Forty of Victoria's top fifty foreign investors are American and include a Who's Who of Business including Boeing, Alcoa, IBM, HP, Oracle, GE, General Motors, Ford, PACCAR, Kraft, Heinz and many others. It has been an honour to stay in touch with the leadership of these corporations to seize new opportunities and understand risk to existing investments. Recent American investments in Victoria include Boeing, IBM, Ford, Juniper Networks, Electronic Arts & Polycom.

The role allows us to work closely with global Victorian/Australian firms like BHPBilliton, Orica, C4i and our excellent food and beverage companies. We collaborate with NGOs like the American Australian Association, Advance, the various Chambers of Commerce as well as Federal Government agencies like DFAT and Austrade. As a person with public policy passions, it was great to meet political leaders like George Bush, Bill Clinton, Governors Huntsman, Brown, Schwarzenegger, Rendell, Purdue and others. Intriguing responsibilities included managing our sponsorship of the Asilomar International Conference on Climate Intervention Technologies.

As I have travelled to various cities involved in the G'Day USA 2012 Programme, many people have been kind in their good wishes to me and praise for the team I run. I would like to thank you all for your support and encouragement during my term as Commissioner.

See as well:

Age Profile of Michael Kapel by Farrah Tomazin
Baillieu's top adviser Kapel gets plum job on Channel 9
My Linkedin Page

Deep in the Heart of Texas: G'Day USA in Houston

2012-01-23T13:05:00.003+11:00

When the Qantas Choir broke into the song "Deep in the Heart of Texas" the Houston crowd went wild. The Houston G'Day USA Australia Day Gala was an undoubted success with two of the highlights being Star of Australia Awards to former Ambassadors and political leaders Andrew Peacock and Tom Schieffer. Tom's acceptance speech was hilarious while my friend Andrew's speech hit the mark with his reminiscences and insights into the American Australian relationship.

Victoria was to the fore again with Texas-based Melbourne-born & educated chef Jason Gould and the wines coming from Victoria with the excellent Yering Station Chardonnay, Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz and Mount Langi Ghira Cliff Edge Sparkling Shiraz. I commend these wines to Americans and Australians alike.

There were many Victorian connections starting with Andrew Peacock who represented the Victorian seat of Kooyong in the Australian Parliament for almost 30 years. Victoria was a sponsor through our partnership with G'Day USA while Melbourne headquartered bhpbilliton was the host sponsor with the Gala Honorary Chairs being Mike and Robin Yeager. Other sponsors with Victorian operations included Qantas, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Macquarie Bank, Transfield, WorleyParsons, Ernst & Young, Mallesons Stephen Jaques and others.

It was great to see folks like De Bortoli Wines Mike Lester and his wife Robin, Victorian Clare Hobby of Sense Communications and her husband Conny Gustafsson. Victorian educated Clare has been doing some very interesting high-tech work in Brazil from her base in Houston. Soo too it was good to see former Melbourne residents Mike and Amy Proegler. Mark is the global sustainability head of BP and spent three years working in Melbourne before taking his global role in Houston. Kerry Vincent is an icon on the food network and we have embraced her as an honorary Victorian. Kerry's husband Doug is one of the leaders of the Angel Flight Network.

The beneficiary of the auctions and raffle is Project Joy and Hope, an organisation providing practical and financial support to children living with life-limiting conditions and their families.

See G'Day New York

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G'Day USA in New York

2012-01-22T08:43:00.001+11:00

As I flew out of New York this morning, La Guardia looked like a winter wonderland with falling snow and snow-covered runways and equipment. We left a little late but the airport management has well-oiled processes for blowing ice off planes, adding ice treatments and keeping runways usable.

Last night, the G'Day USA and American Australian Association Dinner was a sell-out with a fantastic spirit and entertainment led by the Qantas Choir and Guy Sebastian. The chef for the night was Melbourne-born Pete Evans

Another great G'Day event in New York this week was the Green build Solutions Forum which included high profile Melbourne speakers Tony Arnel and Daniel Grollo.

I flew out of New York with Wally Mariani, the Qantas Americas chief and co-chair of G'Day USA. Wally is an inspirational leader who works long hours for the Australian community through G'Day and leading his high-energy Qantas team. On behalf of Victoria, I express my thanks to him and his co-chair, the great diplomat Chris deCure for a great G'Day USA 2012 program.

Victorians have been to the fore in many events with people like celebrity chef Guy Grossi speaking passionately about Victoria and its attributes. I am particularly grateful to Guy who cooked for almost a 1000 folk at the L.A. Gala and then stepped up to lead the Victoria: Taste It event in New York. Victorian producers worked well with Guy and my team to deliver the message to the American food and beverage distribution industry. Special thanks to Mountain Goat Brewery, Sticks Yarra Valley, Coldstream Hills, Meredith Dairy, Yarra Valley Dairy, the Australian Lamb Company, Ralph's meats, Ausab Abalone, Southern Rock Lobster, Cobram Estate, Carmen's Kitchen and Waterwheel Industries. Listening to the distributors, they were very positive about the opportunities for Victorian and Australian food and beverage in the U.S. east coast. It is a market which dwarfs the Chinese and Indian markets for fine food and beverage. Other Victorian producers on show during G'Day USA included the excellent Victorian Pinot Noir producer Giant Steps, De Bortoli and Treasury Wine Estates.

The L.A. Gala was a great success with not only the aforementioned Guy Grossi starring but another Victorian Guy, Guy Pearce, being honored with the presentation made by Oscar winner, Kate Winslet. Air Supply, the global music act which started in Melbourne, was also honored with the presentation made by their friend and admirer Priscilla Presley.

Having been involved in three G'Day USA campaigns, I do commend the promotion and entertainment opportunities to Australian business. The fact that the events are sold out weeks in advance is a sign of the extent to which Americans and Australians alike are inspired by the award winners, the vibrancy of those on stage and the audiences, and, the spirit of enterprise which is evident. If you are going to be in the USA next January, make sure to stay in touch with the G'Day USA program and look to attend with your American partners.

On a personal note, I have been very moved by folk wishing me the best for the future following the end of my statutory term as Commissioner at the end of the month. It has been good to work with the New York business community and the Victorian diaspora to enhance Victoria's global position. New York is a unique city and a great canvas for Australian individuals and companies. Victorian Governments over the decades have understood the influence of the New York business community on our economic future. Most foreign direct investment emanates from the USA and a positive outlook for Victoria and Australia from New York corporations, shareholders and analysts is important.

The Victorian Government Business offices in the United States have vibrancy and passion. Any Victorian heading to New York should make sure to touch base, join up to the Access America program, join on our Linkedin Victorian Connection Group and leverage our networks for business and personal success.

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Opportunities in Australia: American, British & NZ fighters, submariners, engineers & medics recruited by Australian Defence Force

2012-01-16T12:52:00.008+11:00

As folk know, the Australian economy is booming and the country needs skilled migrants. Many Americans are looking to take their skills and families to Australia.

British and US soldiers are being recruited by the Australian Defence Force to meet a shortage of fighter pilots, submarine crews and officers, naval engineers, doctors, nurses and radiographers.

The Australian Defence Association (ADA) executive director Neil James said Australia had long relied on overseas personnel from Britain, the United States, Canada and New Zealand to bolster defence force numbers. Salary rates offered by Western Australia's mining boom, along with other lucrative industries, were partly accountable for the navy losing people with valuable technical and managerial skills. People from Commonwealth countries and the US were recruited in their place because they tended to have the necessary skills and qualifications. "Also it's quite easy for them to get an Australian security clearance," Mr James added.

A report on maintenance in Australia's navy suggests that as many as 200 engineers were needed to rebuild lost expertise, The Australian newspaper reported.

Sources:

Commiserations to our European Friends: AAA Rated Australia Strong and Getting Stronger

2012-01-14T23:16:00.007+11:00

Commiserations to our friends and partners in the European Countries downgraded by Standard & Poor's (S&P) yesterday. Looking at it in perspective, I do note that S&P's statement includes the observation "the ratings on the eurozone sovereigns remain at comparatively high levels, with only three below investment grade
(Portugal, Cyprus, and Greece)."

I hope the downgrade leads to the reforms which will make those countries more resilient and robust in an ever more competitive global economy. My experience says it can be done. In 1991 the State of Victoria suffered a double downgrade of the State’s long-term credit rating to A1. This led to determined action by the Victorian Government to bring debt under control, balance the budget and communicate "the improving economy and credit of Victoria to rating agencies and investor groups, to enhance the State’s debt profile and improve funding costs." In April 1998, The State of Victoria was upgraded by S&P to AAA. The reforms took us to the forefront of global expertise in areas like regulatory efficiency, PPPs and competition in utilities.

The further European uncertainty should reinforce the plans of those thinking of investing in Australia to access Australian markets and as a base for Asia.

The state of the Australian economy stands in stark contrast to Europe. The burden of government debt is small. Australia's net public debt is forecast to peak at 8.9 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011/12 in contrast to France's net position predicted to peak at 85 per cent of GDP and Austria at 54.1 per cent of GDP.

OECD forecasts predict Australia will have the fastest growth in the developed world in 2012: a rate of 4 per cent equaled only by Chile and approached only by Korea at 3.8 per cent.

Interesting Perspectives on the European downgrade:

Times of India: "Regaining an AAA rating, a difficult but not impossible task." "Australia may be an even harder example to follow. S&P removed Australia's AAA in 1986 and only gave it back 17 years later. During that time Canberra adhered to strict budgetary discipline and even capped its debt, measured in Australian dollars, in 1997. It also benefited from rapid growth and a broad transformation of its economy, modernising its financial system and deregulating uncompetitive sectors. Meanwhile, demand from a resurgent China drove a boom in the Australian mining industry, providing more tax revenue for the government."

G'Day USA 2012 Opens with Two Splendid Events in Silicon Valley: Australia-USA Dialogue on Energy Efficiency; and, An Evening of Australian Innovation

2012-01-13T01:10:00.013+11:00

The Australia-US Dialogue on Energy Efficiency at Stanford was terrific with a full house of some of the best minds in Australia and California. Great speakers included The Hon. Robert Hill, the Former Australian Minister for Environment and Minister for Defense. I learned a lot from the event and am reinforced in my view that a smart electric grid driven by smart meters smartly used will drive economic growth and innovation. I made the point that in 2013, Victoria will be the only State in Asia with ubiquitous smart meters and this was attracting global interest for Melbourne as a place to roll out new smart appliances, devices and software. The papers will be available soon but in the meanwhile some relevant papers may be read at Stanford's Precourt Energy Efficiency Center online library. Congratulations to Consul-General, Chris deCure and his Victorian-raised Consul Ed Wilkinson and their team for a great event.

An Evening of Australian Innovation at the Computer History Museum, Mountain View, Silicon Valley attracted a full house of 250 attendees with talented Americans and Australians enjoying a showcase of Australia's innovation. The Australian Ambassador to the USA Kim Beazley made a brilliant speech and Nigel Warren, the Australian Consul General in San Francisco moderated the event and the panel with aplomb. Congratulations to Nigel, Emma Tom and the rest of the Austrade team for a great event/

Brilliant Victorians featured included Patrick Llewellyn of 99 Designs and Professor Alan Trounson, President of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. Simon Yencken, an experienced start-up leader, living in the Valley with his roots firmly in Melbourne always impresses me with his insights. Other outstanding Victorians at the event included Louis Mathews, the west coast Director, of Advance. The Victorian-based global business Treasury Wine Estates was a sponsor with Tim Irwin making an excellent sponsor's speech. Global Corporate Challenge is a Victorian Access America participant and was ably represented by its U.S. leader Catherine Bishop.

Good to see Team Australia working so well. The NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner made a great speech presenting an award to a NSW honouree Atlassian. It was good to see Chris Rodwell, my Queensland peer, make the trip up from Santiago to join us and honour the Queensland participants. Chris O'Meara and I had the privilege of giving a lift back to the City to Queensland's global citizen Peter Riddles and Mario Pennisi, the CEO of the Queensland Clinical Trials Network - as you can imagine the conversation was excellent and stimulating. Dawn Lillington, Executive Director at Australian American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco, was there too - we're looking forward to her team's Australia Day Celebrations.

Congratulations to Melbourne's C4i as it Grows its International Footprint – Singapore Office Opened

2012-01-12T00:45:00.003+11:00

We see a lot of Melbourne's C4i through its Virginia Headquarters and its US based Aussie President Brad Kay. They are terrific folk specialising in delivering standard-setting communication solutions for mission-critical military and government customers around the globe. C4i specialises in delivering standard-setting communication solutions for mission-critical military and government customers around the globe. C4i is based in Melbourne, Australia and Reston, Virginia, USA, and now Singapore.

Congratulations to C4i on the opening of its new Singapore office. This opening of the Singapore office coincides with the successful commissioning of C4i’s latest Air Traffic Control voice system at Seletar Airport, Singapore.

San Francisco Opportunity: Storytelling for Leaders: Aussies are the best raconteurs and you can learn from the best of the best.

2012-01-11T23:13:00.009+11:00

I've known and trusted Shawn Callahan, the founder of Anecdote for several years. I have recommended his services to many businesspeople and everyone has spoken highly of him when they have used his services.

He and his team are world leaders at extracting the stories of businesses and helping business leaders tell those stories to strengthen teams and build better public empathy.

Shawn and his colleagues run a global business from their headquarters in Melbourne. They will be in San Francisco on 7 February 2012 to run a one-day workshop on Storytelling for Leaders.

This will be well worth attending. The details are at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2424672260/eorg

Australians have an expression "mate's rates" which means a discount for a friend. If you use the promotional code anecdoteUSspecial you'll receive a $300 discount or mate's rate.

The note Shawn sent me tells the story of the workshop: "We all need better ways to persuade, share what we know and help those around us make sense of the complex world we live in. Developing our innate storytelling skills helps build confidence, convey ideas clearly and effectively, and probably most importantly, present to our colleagues our humanity. We all want to convey our ideas with impact, yet eyes instantly glaze the moment you beam your PowerPoint presentation laden with slide after slide of dot points. We know informally that stories are engaging; we tell them at dinner parties and people listen and they 'get it'. Yet few leaders systematically harness storytelling to communicate ideas, convey the organisation`s values or inspire and motivate people. The (San Francisco) workshop is highly interactive and throughout the day participants will engage in lots of practical activities designed to build their skills and knowledge. We are strong believers in the importance of practical activities to foster effective learning."

Political Leadership Still Admired: Obama, Bushes & Clintons lead most-admired man and woman in USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.

2011-12-29T01:22:00.012+11:00

It is interesting that despite the constant stream of negative media about them: political leaders and their spouses lead the most-admired man and woman polls in the annual USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.

Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton lead the most admired men poll. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leads the most admired women poll with Michelle Obama and Laura Bush both in the top 6.

Of course, it's only a bit of fun as it's a poll of only 1019 people in a US population of 307 million. The male sixth spot was reached with only 1% of respondents naming you. And, probably a fault with the polling method, one in three poll respondents named no one to either list. On a positive note, more people named a friend or relative "rather than a famous man or woman."

Most Admired Woman

Hillary Clinton
Oprah Winfrey
Michelle Obama
Sarah Palin
Condoleezza Rice
Laura Bush
Margaret Thatcher
Ellen DeGeneres
Queen Elizabeth
Michele Bachmann

Most admired Men

Barack Obama
George W. Bush
Bill Clinton
Rev. Billy Graham
Warren Buffett
Newt Gingrich
Donald Trump
Pope Benedict XVI
Bill Gates
Thomas Monson

What is the Australian equivalent?

A study of the most admired Australian Women by a Suncorp subsidiary called Million Dollar Woman published in October had a stereotypically sport and entertainment heavy list. Seems odd that even an unpopular Prime Minister would come in at

1	Cathy Freeman, Olympian
2	Dawn Fraser, Olympian
3	Cate Blanchett, Actor
4	Olivia Newton-John, Activist, Singer
5	Nicole Kidman, Actor
6	Kylie Minogue, Singer
7	Rebecca Gibney, Actor
8	Miranda Kerr, Model
9	Delta Goodrem, Singer
10	Toni Collette, Actor

An inconclusive report in the Sydney Morning Herald in March with readers emailing in nominations for the Australian Woman Who Inspires you the Most had "My Mum" leading with Catherine Hamlin leading Quentin Bryce...

I'll leave the men for another blog post.

Australia & USA amongst the most generous of nations: Charities Aid Foundation

2011-12-27T15:27:00.004+11:00

The World Giving Index annual survey by the Charities Aid Foundation ranks the nations of the world according to a definition of charity that includes direct donations to charitable organizations, volunteer work, and the helping of strangers in need. The world’s five most charitable nations are: the United States of America, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Melbourne in the Top 20 for number of top music singles on the music site Pitchfork

2011-12-27T02:10:00.005+11:00

I enjoy reading the 2011-2012 "best of" lists appearing in media around the world. An interesting one which Richard Florida alerted me to is the geographical spread of "the year’s top singles from reviewers and critics at the music site Pitchfork."

While Richard was touting his city of Toronto which came in fourth, I am pleased Melbourne came in the top 20 and the leading Australian city. It's yet another measure showing Melbourne's vibrancy as a music town.

You might recall Boston Pops Conductor, Keith Lockhart, wrote:

"I was in Australia one time previously, as a tourist, but my performances with the Melbourne Symphony earlier this month marked my Australian debut. .... Our week in Melbourne was fantastic! What a great city -- great orchestra, sold-out concerts, great restaurants and parks, great vibe. I'd go back every week if it weren't half a world away!"

Daily Candy's review of Melbourne.

"Australia might be better known for its sunburnt croc hunters than its vibrant art scene, but it’s not all shrimp on the barbie in the Land Down Under. Melbourne, Oz’s second-largest city, prides itself on its Euro-style appreciation of art and culture. Melbin (as the locals pronounce it) is home to a series of laneways (narrow, cobblestone paths between wide city blocks) brimming with cafes, galleries, boutiques, street art, and a network of not-so-secret bars."

Christmas in America: One surprise gift was a Melbourne video produced by the North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracking Project.

2011-12-26T01:43:00.008+11:00

For me Christmas spreads across two days as Christmas day starts 19 hours earlier for my friends and family in Australia with messages and calls. May I wish all of you the joys of Christmas with the love of family and the laughter of good friends.

Here in San Francisco, Christmas decorations across public buildings, commercial enterprises and houses help to deliver Christmas cheer. Near our office, more than 17,000 lights trace the Embarcadero Center's towers. Union Street is delightful as are many precincts in the suburbs and surrounds. Most people know the Union Square Christmas tree donated by Macy's. This year it is said to be 80 feet high and it is very beautiful. This photo was taken on my ipad at night.

One Christmas Eve surprise was a Melbourne video produced by the North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracking Project. It looks like our Melbourne messages have got through to the High Command. Have a look at this charming 46 second video:

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a very nice Christmas message with a special tribute to the troops abroad and their families.

THE PRESIDENT: Hi everyone. As you gather with family and friends this weekend, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I – and of course Bo – want to wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
THE FIRST LADY: This is such a wonderful time of year. It’s a time to honor the story of love and redemption that began 2,000 years ago … a time to see the world through a child’s eyes and rediscover the magic all around us … and a time to give thanks for the gifts that bless us every single day.

The Queen of Australia, Queen Elizabeth, spoke of her experiences in Australia. "We've seen that it's in hardship that we often find strength from our families; it's in adversity that new friendships are sometimes formed; and it's in a crisis that communities break down barriers and bind together to help one another. Families, friends and communities often find a source of courage rising up from within. Indeed, sadly, it seems that it is tragedy that often draws out the most and the best from the human spirit. When Prince Philip and I visited Australia this year, we saw for ourselves the effects of natural disaster in some of the areas devastated by floods, where in January so many people lost their lives and their livelihoods. We were moved by the way families and local communities held together to support each other. Prince William travelled to New Zealand and Australia in the aftermath of earthquakes, cyclones and floods and saw how communities rose up to rescue the injured, comfort the bereaved and rebuild the cities and towns devastated by nature. "

The Australian Prime Minister's Christmas Message was short and light and reminded us to"express a particular Christmas wish to all those who have to work today to take care of us..."

As appropriate, the Pope's message and midnight mass homily received a lot of coverage on American television. For me the most interesting part were his comments on returning to simplicity using the example of the Mass celebrated by St Francis of Assisi. "Today Christmas has become a commercial celebration, whose bright lights hide the mystery of God’s humility, which in turn calls us to humility and simplicity. Let us ask the Lord to help us see through the superficial glitter of this season, and to discover behind it the child in the stable in Bethlehem, so as to find true joy and true light. Francis arranged for Mass to be celebrated on the manger that stood between the ox and the ass (cf. 1 Celano 85; Fonti 469). Later, an altar was built over this manger, so that where animals had once fed on hay, men could now receive the flesh of the spotless lamb Jesus Christ, for the salvation of soul and body, as Thomas of Celano tells us (cf. 1 Celano 87; Fonti 471). Francis himself, as a deacon, had sung the Christmas Gospel on the holy night in Greccio with resounding voice. Through the friars’ radiant Christmas singing, the whole celebration seemed to be a great outburst of joy (1 Celano 85.86; Fonti 469, 470). It was the encounter with God’s humility that caused this joy – his goodness creates the true feast. Today, anyone wishing to enter the Church of Jesus’ Nativity in Bethlehem will find that the doorway five and a half metres high, through which emperors and caliphs used to enter the building, is now largely walled up. Only a low opening of one and a half metres has remained. The intention was probably to provide the church with better protection from attack, but above all to prevent people from entering God’s house on horseback. Anyone wishing to enter the place of Jesus’ birth has to bend down. It seems to me that a deeper truth is revealed here, which should touch our hearts on this holy night: if we want to find the God who appeared as a child, then we must dismount from the high horse of our “enlightened” reason. We must set aside our false certainties, our intellectual pride, which prevents us from recognizing God’s closeness. We must follow the interior path of Saint Francis – the path leading to that ultimate outward and inward simplicity which enables the heart to see. We must bend down, spiritually we must as it were go on foot, in order to pass through the portal of faith and encounter the God who is so different from our prejudices and opinions – the God who conceals himself in the humility of a newborn baby. In this spirit let us celebrate the liturgy of the holy night, let us strip away our fixation on what is material, on what can be measured and grasped. Let us allow ourselves to be made simple by the God who reveals himself to the simple of heart."

NORAD Tracks Santa - Melbourne, Australia

2011-12-25T14:21:00.001+11:00

Splendid view of Melbourne via the North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracking Project.

fDi intelligence ranked Melbourne, Victoria, Australia as number two in Asia Pacific for our Foreign Direct Investment Strategy

2011-12-16T00:45:00.010+11:00

After almost three years in the field "selling the message", I was pleased to get a note from our folks in Melbourne to advise that we have been ranked by fDiintelligence as number two in Asia Pacific for our Foreign Direct Investment Strategy . The report recognises the quality and number of staff in the organisation, the excellent investment attraction initiatives on offer and the exceptional support it offers investors. I am proud of our team.

The investor proposition has improved with the introduction of the new Australian R&D tax incentive. With the State of Victoria long recognised for its innovative R&D culture and supporting infrastructure, this new Federal government legislation has rendered Melbourne one of the world’s most attractive R&D destinations, according to KPMG.

Simple to operate and with wide eligibility, the new tax incentive provides innovative companies with a substantial cash advance that equates to a tax burden that is 88 per cent less for R&D activities carried out in Melbourne than in the USA (watch the video).

To add to the attraction, the Victorian government has released a new A$85 million ICT plan along with a A$55 million plan to support biotechnology – two key sectors which will benefit from increased R&D incentives. Victoria’s Cooperative Research Centres have also secured more than A$70 million in federal funding, with a focus on automotive, advanced manufacturing and water innovation.

Keep abreast of everything Victorian via The Victorian Connection, our new LinkedIn group for sharing news and views and staying connected with our valued expats and alumni.

Victoria is the first Australian state to have a broad, mandatory rollout of smart electricity meters.

2011-12-15T04:34:00.010+11:00

Before I took on this role, I had advocated for a more flexible roll-out of smart meters with more emphasis on data standards and the use of data rather than the then focus on the hardware. After a useful review of the system, the Victorian Government now expects to complete the smart electricity meter roll-out to all Victorian households and small- and medium-sized businesses by 2013. Victoria is the first Australian state to have a broad, mandatory rollout of smart meters, which make power usage and readings more efficient and will provide excellent opportunities for clean tech companies to try out new smart appliances in Victoria.

With the global focus on reducing energy consumption and the emission of greenhouse gases, smart meters smartly rolled out should allow households to automate their household appliances and organise their electricity usage to lower household costs. With better in-house displays, it will be the children leading parents to use these tools to make life better for each household and the world.

The modified smart-meter scheme announced will see the Victorian government:

Subsidising in-home displays to help households control their energy bills, with some basic in-home displays available at low cost by mid 2012;
Progressively offering remote connections for Victorians moving house from 1 January 2012, saving customers around $15, or more than $100 after hours;
Extending the delay on the introduction of flexible pricing until at least 2013, to allow time for consumers to learn more about their options;
Ensuring Victorian consumers can choose to remain on flat rates even when flexible pricing is introduced
Toughening the regulation of smart-meter cost recovery by distribution businesses through removing the automatic allowance for cost overruns of 10 to 20 per cent put in place under the former government;
Providing greater oversight by government and giving consumer and welfare groups a much stronger voice in the smart-meter roll-out process through a new Ministerial Advisory Council.

Weekend Clippings: an Australian Cleantech Carbon Export & Prolific Living in Melbourne

2011-12-11T22:42:00.005+11:00

Bruce Thomas, the Founder and Chairman of Carbon Training International, has sent me a note advising me that the firm, an Australian accredited workplace carbon management qualification provider, is exporting its Australian developed carbon management courses to the University of California, Los Angeles. The course in carbon management developed by CTI will be delivered through UCLA Extension, a provider of business education in California. Congratulations to Bruce and the team.
Farnoosh from the Prolific Living blog has been holidaying in Victoria and wrote, "a beautiful unforgettable week here in Melbourne, a lovely laid-back city that has everything you could need plus an easy, happiness-inducing feeling about it. Yesterday, we drove to see the 12 Apostles. The pictures in this post are from the scene of these stunning rock formations along the south coast of Melbourne. The inspiration from this post was not just by luck. It came straight from the wind and the sound of the waves crashing against these rocks."
Kelsey Parsons in InsideHalton.com, "Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city, is different from Sydney (and other cities) in several ways and has the unique attributes that make it one of the most livable and fashionable cities in the world.... Both Sydney and Melbourne have unique charms and attractions that make them worth visiting, time and time again. Sure, all cities are busy and diverse, but like snowflakes and fingerprints, each have unique characteristics that make them special. While Australia is known for its beaches and sunshine, its cities are a destination in their own right."

Invitation to attend Australia-USA Dialogue on Energy Efficiency at Stanford, January 2012

2011-12-09T23:43:00.003+11:00

As a member of the committee of G'day USA 2012 , I am delighted to invite interested folk to the Australia-USA Dialogue on Energy Efficiency at Stanford, 11 January 2012 from 9am to 3pm.

The event has no fee but numbers are limited so you need to book at http://gdayusaenergyefficiency2012.eventbrite.com

This forum is designed to highlight the work being done in Australia and the US on energy efficiency at a policy, research and business level. Specific challenges of behavioural change and monetising energy efficiency will be amongst topics covered. The event will be produced in partnership with the Precourt Institute of Energy Efficiency at Stanford University.

Speakers

The Hon. Dr. William J. Perry - Professor & Senior Fellow at Stanford University & Former Secretary of Defense
The Hon. Robert Hill - Former Australian Minister for Environment and Minister for Defense
Dr. Carrie Armel - Precourt Energy Efficiency Center - Stanford University
Prof. Howard Bamsey - Former Deputy Secretary of Australian Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Ralph Cavanagh - Energy Program Co-Director, National Resources Defense Council
Jim Davis - President, Chevron Energy Solutions
Peter Dickinson - VP Operations, Building IQ
Chris Dunstan - Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, Sydney
Michel Gelobter - Founder and Chairman, Cooler, Inc.
Dian Grueneich - Former Commissioner California Public Utility Commission & Partner Morrison Foerster
Rob Murray-Leach - CEO, Energy Efficiency Council Australia
Joe Nation - Director, Graduate Public Policy Practicum & former Calif State Assemblyman, Stanford University
Kath Rowley - Director, Climate Policy Initiative - San Francisco
Jim Sweeney - Director, Precourt Energy Efficiency Center - Stanford University
Leon Young - Managing Director, Change2

The event has no fee but numbers are limited so you need to book at http://gdayusaenergyefficiency2012.eventbrite.com

G'Day USA 2012 Australia - USA Dialogue on Green Schools. "Green Buildings - Green Schools"

2011-12-09T11:12:00.006+11:00

As a member of the committee of G'day USA 2012 , I am delighted to invite interested folk to the Australia-USA Dialogue on Green Schools. The dialogue will be held in Los Angeles on 17 January 2012 from 1pm to 5pm at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.

Please book at http://gdayusagreenschools2012.eventbrite.com/

This forum is designed to highlight the work being done in Australia and the US at a policy, research and business level in Green Building. The forum will explore, amongst other topics, green building rating systems, the challenges and opportunities for retrofitting existing building stock and key learnings from the Living Building Challenge; and going beyond the highest green ratings in both countries.

Speakers include:

Tony Arnel - Chair, Green Building Council of Australia

Prof. Howard Bamsey - Former Deputy Secretary of Australian Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Eric Corey Freed - Principal, organic Architect

Rachel Gutter - Director, US Center for Green Schools

The Hon. Robert Hill - Former Australian Minister for Environment and Minister for Defense

Nigel Howard - Managing Director, Edge Environment

Leigh Jasper - CEO, Aconex

Robin Mellon - Executive Director Advocacy and International, Green Building Council of Australia

John Onderdonk - Manager of Sustainability Programs, California Institute of Technology

Bill Orr - Executive Director, Collaborative for High Performing Schools

Rinaldo Veseliza - Director for Sustainability and Senior Project Manager, Build - LACCD

Please book for the event at http://gdayusagreenschools2012.eventbrite.com/

Short Interview of Victor Perton in the quarterly VIctorian Biotechnology News

2011-12-08T07:09:00.006+11:00

Victorian Biotechnology News is produced quarterly by the Victorian Government‘s Department of Business and Innovation, to update readers on Biotechnology news and activities in the state of Victoria, Australia. Subscribe at http://www.business.vic.gov.au/BUSVIC/NEWSLETTER/PC_60826.html

Profile: Victor Perton, Commissioner to the Americas

What are the opportunities for life science companies in the American market?

The US is the leading nation for life sciences R&D and innovation and the US health industry is valued at $2.5 trillion annually (almost twice Australia's GDP). The market size alone provides enormous opportunity for Victorian life science companies.

In particular, Victoria's key strengths in drug discovery, clinical trials, medical devices, diagnostics and agri-biotech align with key growth areas in the US. With strong Victorian representation (business and government) at the BIO 2012 convention and Melbourne's ongoing sister city relationship with Boston, the Victorian life sciences industry is well-positioned to pursue opportunities for expansion in the US.

What are some of the key issues/barriers that one must be aware of?

For Australians trying to enter the US market the key is persistence, preparation and resources to stay the course. However, these key aspects are needed to break into any international market!

Make sure you have a great PowerPoint presentation about your company, use the Victorian Government's Access America program and related programs in alliance with ANZATECH which provide mentoring and training in American presentations. You need to build a network using your Australian allies with US links. Linkedin.com provides a very good platform for touching base with key people and you can leverage off my network and our Victorian Connections Group.

Tell us about a company your team has helped recently?

Dentist In A Box - this product is in the medical devices realm and our assistance has been to help them from beginning to end through the U.S. Defence Forces Special Operations Command and the Office of Secretary of Defense's Comparative Testing Organization and support them with introductions, meetings, PR and media. After years of persistence they have achieved recognition and results as Fox News recently covered them and they have been inundated with orders.

Are Chinese Leaders Hedging their Bets and Investing Overseas through their children

2011-12-04T08:49:00.003+11:00

I recently had some discussions with folk who asserted the Chinese leadership is ensuring they preserve their assets in safe jurisdictions like Australia & the U.S.A. in case what happened across the middle east and in the Soviet Union occurs in China.

In an article entitled 'Kleptocracy: Which Chinese Vice-President's son paid $32.4m for house in Point Piper?', Christopher Joye recently blogged a link to Jonathan Chancellor's Title Tattle article "there’s apparently a new sightseeing attraction for Chinese tourists when they visit Sydney. Not just cuddly koalas and the Opera House – they have added driving along Wolseley Road, Point Piper for a glimpse of the $32.4 million property owned by a son of a former vice-president of China, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Set high on a hill, above a towering sandstone wall and overlooking Sydney Harbour with picture postcard-perfect views of the bridge, Craig-y-Mor (pictured above), the Point Piper non-waterfront residence, is owned by Zeng Wei and his wife, Jiang Mei. It cost $32.4 million in 2008."

For those interested, a 2010 article by John Garnaut and Vanda Carson gives some more detail about the owners.

Christmas Cheer: White House decks the halls for Christmas

2011-12-04T04:18:00.007+11:00

My cousin Jura Koncius has written a nice piece on the White House Christmas festivities.

The White House Christmas theme theme is Shine, Give, Share "celebrating the countless ways we can lift up those around us, spend time with friends and family, and celebrate the joy of giving to others and sharing our blessings with all. The decorations in every room of the house, hung with care by volunteers from 37 states, reflect the theme using shiny stars, metallic garland, and twinkling lights, and invite visitors to give thanks to the military for their service. "Each room of the White House is uniquely decorated for the holidays. After arriving through the East Visitor Entrance, guests are invited to write thank you notes to service members and view the Gold Star Families Tree in the East Landing. The tree is decorated by families whose loved ones gave their lives in service to our nation. In the Entrance Hall on the State Floor, crystal snowflakes hang from the ceiling above visitors as they walk toward the Blue Room, home to the official White House Christmas Tree, also decorated in honor of military families. The East Room has been transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with four trees and garland and tree branches in every window. A 400-pound gingerbread, marzipan, and white chocolate White House—an exact replica, complete with tiny furniture, art, and chandeliers—sits in the State Dining Room. And, a very special four-legged member of the Obama family is represented throughout the White House. Bo can be found in nearly every room, from small ornaments to life-size topiaries made from everyday materials like felt, buttons, candy and even trash bags!"

Jura writes: “Then there was Bo, truly top dog of the Obamas’ Christmas. While the Clintons offered cookies shaped like Socks the cat and the Bushes coaxed their Scottish terrier to star in holiday ‘Barney Cams,’ the Obamas put a replica of the first dog in every room. There’s a ‘topiary’ Bo made of eco-friendly trash-bag strips in the library, a Bo made of black buttons in the Red Room and black-licorice-and-felt Bos throughout the public rooms. And guess who wormed his way onto the Obamas’ holiday card this year? Bo — sitting alone by the library hearth, his famous owners nowhere in sight.”

Here is a nice video of Michelle Obama reading The NIght Before Christmas with Kermit.

Opportunities Beckon: Melbourne is the headquarters of Australia’s new Climate Change Authority

2011-12-02T00:02:00.003+11:00

Melbourne has been chosen as the headquarters of Australia’s new Climate Change Authority. The news follows the passing of the Australian Government’s Clean Energy legislation this month which introduced, amongst other measures, a system of carbon trading.

The Clean Energy Act paves the way for Australia to enter a new era of energy and climate change policy and today’s announcement will mean that Melbourne will play a central role in this.

The Climate Change Authority will be an independent body that will provide expert advice on key aspects of the carbon pricing mechanism and the Australian Government’s climate change mitigation initiatives. The Authority will provide recommendations on the future settings for Australia’s carbon trading scheme and in particular the caps on emissions that should be set for Australia.

The Authority will also be responsible for reviewing and advising on the carbon pricing mechanism, the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting system, the national Renewable Energy Target, and the Carbon Farming Initiative.

As home to the new authority, Melbourne and the State of Victoria will be well-placed to take advantage of the opportunities that arise from the emissions reduction scheme. Industries such as clean technology, energy efficiency, and carbon trading industries will generate new opportunities and attract business investment to the state.

Melbourne was chosen because of its position as a hub of excellence and economic activity for energy development, advanced manufacturing, ICT and financial and professional services. The decision also reflects the investment by the state government in the development of low-emissions energy technology including solar, carbon capture and storage, and geothermal.

Please contact us to talk about travelling to Melbourne to become a part of this exciting Australian carbon and climate business activity. Contact me or Chris in San Francisco, Scott in Chicago or Rebecca in New York.

Opportunities beckon in Australia - the fastest growing economy in the developed world for 2012

2011-12-01T13:50:00.008+11:00

I wanted to share some news with you on the opportunities in Australia. As I have already blogged, this week the OECD predicted Australia would be the fastest growing economy in the developed world for 2012. Last quarter, private capital expenditure in Australia rose to a record high with excellent growth in mining, manufacturing and services industries. Business capital spending in Melbourne and Victoria rose 6.3 % in the September quarter.

With Europe and the Americas mired in uncertainty, Australia offers excellent opportunities in all technology and services sectors. IBM has opened a new R&D Center in Melbourne, Attachmate consolidated its Asia Pacific headquarters in Melbourne and Juniper Networks announced plans to double its Australian headcount. In the manufacturing sector, Nexteer has announced a major expansion in its Melbourne electric drive train facility Boeing and Mercer having been expanding their presence and many more like them.

Australia is now the number one global destination for R&D tax incentives according to KPMG. The new R&D tax credit was introduced with effect from 1 July 2011 and provides a 40% tax credit for R&D expenditure for large corporations and a cash refundable 45% tax credit for small corporations. In the first quarter of next year we will hold a seminar in Silicon Valley on the opportunities this tax credit and other incentives offer your enterprise.

If you want to find out more, please ring me or my colleagues Chris O'Meara in our San Francisco office, Scott Adlington in Chicago, Karen Loughran in Washington DC or Rebecca Duffy in New York. They are our Investment Directors and help American companies discover the opportunities in Melbourne and other parts of Victoria (Australia) and facilitate your expansion into Australia.

More Good Australian News: Business capital spending in Victoria rose 6.3 % in the September quarter.

2011-12-01T01:57:00.001+11:00

More Good Australian News: Business capital spending in Victoria rose 6.3 % in the September quarter. Spending on buildings and structures rose 11.4 % while equipment spending rose 3.4 %.

Private capital expenditure in Australia rose to a record high in the September quarter. Mining investment increased strongly for the second consecutive quarter. Outside mining, spending is holding up with increases in both the manufacturing and services industries in the latest quarter.

The boom in mining investment has lifted spending on buildings and structures relative to equipment because buildings and structures account for 80 % of mining expenditure compared with 40 % of total expenditure in both manufacturing and services industries.

The Launch of The Australia, New Zealand, Mexico Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. (ANZMEX) in Melbourne went very well.

2011-11-30T05:35:00.006+11:00

Congratulations to all concerned. Thanks to everyone who helped promote the event. Let the increased trade, investment and partnerships begin!

OECD: AAA-Rated Australia is the fastest growing country in the developed world!

2011-11-29T14:20:00.004+11:00

Lots of good news about Australia today.

New OECD forecasts predict Australia will have the fastest growth in the developed world in 2012: a rate of 4 per cent equaled only by Chile and approached only by Korea at 3.8 per cent. The OECD says the resources boom and strong terms of trade should offset the negative effects of the high Australian dollar.
Ratings agency Fitch upgraded Australia's key credit rating to AAA from AA+. Fitch's views are very solid. "Australia's 'AAA' Foreign-Currency IDR reflects its fundamental credit strengths, including its high value-added economy, strong political, civil and social institutions and its flexible policy framework. The combination of low public debt, a freely floating exchange rate, a credible inflation target framework, and liberal trade and labour markets provides Australian authorities the flexibility to run strong counter-cyclical fiscal and monetary policies during both economic downturns and upturns. These factors have helped Australia weather a number of externally-driven shocks over the past two decades. Fitch views Australia's low general government debt-to-GDP ratio - 26.3% of GDP in FY2010-11 - as one of the sovereign's standout strengths. In comparison, the 'AAA' peer rating group median was 55.7% of GDP in 2010. This provides Australia with the fiscal space to weather adverse shocks. The federal government remains committed to returning the commonwealth budget back to surplus by FY2012-13 ..."
In releasing a mid-year budget today, the Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan announced spending cuts of A$11.5 billion over the next four years to put the federal government back on track to produce a promised surplus by 2012-13. I have been perplexed as to why in the midst of strong economic growth and a resources boom the federal government would run a deficit budget. As Robert Gottliebson pointed out today, "What the government is really doing is correcting what was a very high-risk budget introduced just six months ago ...As Alan Kohler pointed out at the time the government might have announced savings but in fact went on an orgy of spending with hundreds upon hundreds of spending initiatives totalling more than $18 billion."

"We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan

2011-11-29T01:49:00.008+11:00

Having slept on yesterday's blog How has the recession affected our happiness? A surprising figure, I woke with the thought that underlying pessimism referred to in John O'Brien's 1921 Australian-Irish poem "Said Hanrahan" was running rampant. With the 24 hour news cycle and the journalistic cynicism referred to in the excellent Boyer lecture by Pulitzer Prize winning Australian journalist and novelist Geraldine Brooks, too many Australians are overwhelmed by the negative slant of news coverage in the midst of the greatest income and wealth the country has ever accumulated. So called "balance" means that the negative always accompanies the positive. The other day Canada released its new currency using Australian note-making technology, a journalist friend felt compelled to raise the topic criminal charges against former office-holders as if the celebration of this win had to be tempered.

Australian business consultant Andrew Young's has written an excellent blog on this topic. Andrew writes, "Hanrahan is back in favour with the protagonists telling anyone and everyone who'll listen that 'We'll all be rooned' regardless of how good or bad the current circumstances are. With the internet as the new pulpit, for broadcasting comments and commentary at the speed of light, it's a case that the more pesemistic or controversial an opinion that is voiced the more it attention it receives. Often there is a kernel of truth to the prediction, just as often there is an audience wanting to believe the worst and running with it. Just like in the poem, adopting the "We'll all be rooned" to our own approach to business and life things will most likely become a self fulfilling prophecy."

Said Hanrahan" by John O'Brien

"We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan,
In accents most forlorn,
Outside the church, ere Mass began,
One frosty Sunday morn.

The congregation stood about,
Coat-collars to the ears,
And talked of stock, and crops, and drought,
As it had done for years.

"It's lookin' crook," said Daniel Croke;
"Bedad, it's cruke, me lad,
For never since the banks went broke
Has seasons been so bad."

"It's dry, all right," said young O'Neil,
With which astute remark
He squatted down upon his heel
And chewed a piece of bark.

And so around the chorus ran
"It's keepin' dry, no doubt."
"We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan,
"Before the year is out.

"The crops are done; ye'll have your work
To save one bag of grain;
From here way out to Back-o'-Bourke
They're singin' out for rain.

"They're singin' out for rain," he said,
"And all the tanks are dry."
The congregation scratched its head,
And gazed around the sky.

"There won't be grass, in any case,
Enough to feed an ass;
There's not a blade on Casey's place
As I came down to Mass."

"If rain don't come this month," said Dan,
And cleared his throat to speakâ€“
"We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan,
"If rain don't come this week."

A heavy silence seemed to steal
On all at this remark;
And each man squatted on his heel,
And chewed a piece of bark.

"We want a inch of rain, we do,"
O'Neil observed at last;
But Croke "maintained" we wanted two
To put the danger past.

"If we don't get three inches, man,
Or four to break this drought,
We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan,
"Before the year is out."

In God's good time down came the rain;
And all the afternoon
On iron roof and window-pane
It drummed a homely tune.

And through the night it pattered still,
And lightsome, gladsome elves
On dripping spout and window-sill
Kept talking to themselves.

It pelted, pelted all day long,
A-singing at its work,
Till every heart took up the song
Way out to Back-o'Bourke.

And every creek a banker ran,
And dams filled overtop;
"We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan,
"If this rain doesn't stop."

And stop it did, in God's good time;
And spring came in to fold
A mantle o'er the hills sublime
Of green and pink and gold.

And days went by on dancing feet,
With harvest-hopes immense,
And laughing eyes beheld the wheat
Nid-nodding o'er the fence.

And, oh, the smiles on every face,
As happy lad and lass
Through grass knee-deep on Casey's place
Went riding down to Mass.

While round the church in clothes genteel
Discoursed the men of mark,
And each man squatted on his heel,
And chewed his piece of bark.

"There'll be bush-fires for sure, me man,
There will, without a doubt;
We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan,
"Before the year is out."

Andrew Young has penned an alternative ending to the poem and I suggest you go to his blog to read it.

By the way, the poem has its own Facebook page with 4 fans.

How has the recession affected our happiness? A surprising figure.

2011-11-28T17:20:00.005+11:00

Tonight I came across a blog entry entitled How has the recession affected our happiness? by Jennifer Stellar, a PhD student at the The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. The Greater Good Science Center studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being, and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society.

Writing about the U.S.A., Jennifer's blog analyses a number of studies and concluded, "It appears that although small drops in happiness were certainly associated with the economic recession, it was fairly robust even in the face of economic hardship. If anything, the poll suggests that although the economy was plummeting, individuals were able to find happiness in other areas, such as social support, which is one of the strongest predictors of well-being. These results help remind us that money doesn’t buy happiness, and that even in the face of economic hardship, we can find joy amongst friends and family."

Jennifer cited the World Values index which ranks the U.S.A. 15th out of 97 countries that have been measured for well-being. Jennifer states, "we show room for improvement, but overall, most Americans seem pretty happy and satisfied with their lives."

The World Values Survey (WVS) is a global research project that explores people’s values and beliefs, how they change over time and what social and political impact they have. It is carried out by a worldwide network of social scientists who, since 1981, have conducted representative national surveys in almost 100 countries. The WVS measures, monitors and analyzes: support for democracy, tolerance of foreigners and ethnic minorities, support for gender equality, the role of religion and changing levels of religiosity, the impact of globalization, attitudes toward the environment, work, family, politics, national identity, culture, diversity, insecurity, and subjective well-being.

On the World Values index Australia ranks 21.

I was surprised to read that. Why would we be lower than the USA and lower than several countries with much poorer economic conditions? The OECD Better Life Initiative ranks Australia as number 1 for the quality of life of its people. The United Nation Development Index also ranks Australia number 1. You might recall that in October Terry McCrann, wrote , "They mightn't fully appreciate it, but Australians have never had it better."

We are on average richer than the Americans. Peter Hartcher notes, "Australia has a higher average income per head of population than Germany, Japan, Singapore or France, surpassing that of its ''mother country'', Britain, by 1½ times. And in 2008, for the first time since World War I, its income per head surpassed America's. A decade ago, Australia lagged 40 per cent behind the US. By 2010, it was well ahead - by about $15,000 per head, or almost one-third, in fact.

Last year, after listening to my pitch for a Melbourne location for his Asia Pacific HQ, an American investor asked me what keeps me awake worrying for Australia. I told him nothing keeps me awake worrying but noted two concerns. I used the words of the American songwriter Joani MItchell. "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone."

You may recall a month ago I wrote a blog entitled Is Optimism American? Thoughts from a citizen of the best country on earth. My blog was initiated by an email from a Swedish friend who suggested I had lived too long amongst the Americans as my optimism was characteristic of that nation.

For most Australians, Australia is undoubtedly the best place on earth in which to live. My last three years living abroad have convinced me of that. This is not the message given to Australians by the media or by our leaders.

There is a daily negative public message peddled by many news outlets and fed from many sources. While international rankings of Australia's well-being are noted, the good news is overwhelmed by bad news. The Australian public discourse expresses dissatisfaction with its institutions and their performance. Is this media culture or a national culture? Does it impact on the people? The results of the human values index would indicate yes. What do you think?

Obviously Australia is not the only place in which bad news dominates the news. On a drive in California this weekend, the day after Thanksgiving day news was dominated all day by reports of the the actions of a Black Friday shopper who had pepper-sprayed other shoppers in order to get first shot at a pile of x-box bargains. Where's the balance? Most Americans had a great thanksgiving celebration yet the coverage focused on this one bizarre incident. I switched the radio off and listened instead to the excellent Boyer lecture by Pulitzer Prize winning Australian novelist Geraldine Brooks.

Weekend Humour: Very Funny Article by Steven Colbert on the proposed American military presence in Australia

2011-11-13T18:43:00.002+11:00

The Colbert Report
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Australia's Gold Coast to host Commonwealth Games in 2018

2011-11-13T04:50:00.003+11:00

Congratulations to Australia's Gold Coast which has won the right to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018. The Commonwealth Games is predicted to deliver $2 billion in economic benefits to the Gold Coast and about 30,000 jobs in the next seven years.

Victoria's capital, Melbourne, hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2006.

Australia has a justifiable reputation as being preeminent in running global sporting events. In a 2010 blog, I wrote, "Brazilian World Cup Officials and Olympics Committee folk reiterated their appreciation of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006 and the excellent observers program."

The eastern states of Australia cooperate to assist companies with experience in these events to market their skills globally. The Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat (AISES) is a joint initiative of the Australian State Governments of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria aimed at promoting the combined business expertise arising from the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, the Brisbane 2001 Goodwill Games and other major international events.

The next AISES mission will be going to Brazil in December.

Is Optimism American? Thoughts from a citizen of the best country on earth.

2011-10-27T07:45:00.006+11:00

Recently to end an email debate, a Scandinavian friend wrote, "I guess you've become American; I just asked an American friend here to go out with me tomorrow, nobody is more optimistic than Americans!"

No doubt, she was right about my optimism. I am an optimist even possessing a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses with rose-coloured lenses to augment my general world view. Was she right that optimism was an American trait and my years of living in the states had further (rose) coloured my views?

A few months ago, I would have immediately sent an email rebutting the point and making the point that optimism is even more firmly an Australian trait - "she'll be right" being Australian shorthand for everything will turn out for the best.

However my last consultation visit to Australia and my preparation sent me some disturbing signals. Has the natural and infectious Australian cheerfulness which Americans report to me after meeting Australians or visiting Australia been diminished?

What annoyed me in conferences and meetings was a level of complaint about government policy, living conditions, the health system and the transport system which did not calibrate with what I know, that is, that Australia is the best country on earth. The desire to improve is one thing but the rhetoric asserted that folk did not have the health, transport and economic conditions which they deserve.

An Australian business writer, Terry McCrann, wrote last week, "They mightn't fully appreciate it, but Australians have never had it better." Another business writer, Peter Hartcher, wrote this week: "Australians live in the richest country on Earth ... however you measure it."

Terry and Peter are right. The OECD Better Life Initiative ranks Australia as number 1 for the quality of life of its people. The United Nation Development Index also ranks Australia number 1.

In respect of income, Peter Hartcher notes, "Australia has a higher average income per head of population than Germany, Japan, Singapore or France, surpassing that of its ''mother country'', Britain, by 1½ times. And in 2008, for the first time since World War I, its income per head surpassed America's. A decade ago, Australia lagged 40 per cent behind the US. By 2010, it was well ahead - by about $15,000 per head, or almost one-third, in fact. If this achievement were a sporting triumph, Australians would have erupted in a frenzy of celebration."

In the Forbes ten happiest countries list, Australia ranked number 4 ahead of the USA at 10. In the Forbes list, my friend's country ranked not far behind Australia while three neighbouring Scandinavian countries made the top 3. In the Forbes happiest cities index, Melbourne and Sydney ranked in the top 5. The Economist recently ranked Melbourne as the world's most livable city.

Optimism is different to happiness. So what do the figures say in Australian optimism?

An August survey by recruitment firm Randstad showed that Australians are among the most optimistic in the world with respect to future job prospects.

An Allianz-Newspoll study published in August showed the overall Allianz Future Optimism Index rose from 60.4 in July 2011 from 59.9 in the first survey, which was conducted in November 2010. What I found interesting was a press release quoting Allianz Managing Director, Terry Towell which seemed to searching for a negative and found it, "Australians have become less optimistic about their economic future, with the Economy Index falling 3 points from 62 to 59."

Another Australian financial institution Suncorp published a Life Confidence Index in 2010. While it has disappeared from the company website, its last findings were "The latest Suncorp Life Confidence Index is 59.4 out of 100, down 1.5 points since April this year."

Again, the press release seemed to go out if its way to find bad news in the report. If you google the two indexes, you find press headlines like "Women forecast grim economic future," "Half of Australians not optimistic about the economy," and "Aussie Confidence on Shaky Ground."

Is it a media culture or a national culture? Hartcher notes, "surpassing the country regarded as the benchmark of prosperity in the key measure of income was not even noted in the mainstream media. Winning not sporting gold but real gold, the gold of high incomes and high living standards, is, apparently, trivial."

My Scandinavian friend obviously thought that optimism was more American than Australian. It's something I will research some more. If you have views or expert opinion, please feel free to send me a note.

In my work I sell the virtues of investing in Victoria and selling the quality of our exports. I do get to see best that Australia has to offer the world and talk about it, write about it and think about it every day.

So, to my Scandinavian friend, it's a personal and Australian optimism I exhibit. Made more optimistic by living amongst the Americans? I'll let others judge.

New York Event: Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index 2011 highlights opportunity in the Global Pension Fund Management Industry

2011-10-15T01:14:00.007+11:00

This coming Wednesday 19th October at 5:30 pm in midtown Manhatten, I will be hosting an event with an expert panel of renown international pension industry experts:

the author of the 2011 Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index, David Knox - Senior Partner at Mercer;

Bill Yun - Executive Vice President Franklin Templeton and President at Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC; and,

Kevin Davis, Professor of Finance at the University of Melbourne.

You may register for this event at http://www.invest.vic.gov.au/the-global-pension-challenge

The 2011 Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index survey of international retirement pensions has seen Australia move up to number two in the rankings and focused attention on the city of Melbourne’s key role in financial services research and funds management.

The United States held on to its 10th place ranking and the 2011 Index ranks Netherlands in 1st postion and Australia in 2nd position – up from 4th last year. The 2011 Index for the first time includes India and Poland, and covers more than half the world’s population.

The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index 2011 compares global retirement income systems in 16 countries and rates them based on adequacy, sustainability and integrity.

Founded in 2009, the Index attracts world-wide attention and this year's report demonstrates Melbourne's position as a leader in financial services education and research. At the centre of Australia’s managed funds industry, Melbourne has the world’s 4th largest pool of funds under management totalling more than $1.4 trillion at the end of 2010. Melbourne is a key financial and business center in this market, accounting for around one third of the Australian finance and insurance industry. Sixty per cent of all Australian industry pension fund assets are managed out of Melbourne.

Australia's rise in the rankings is no surprise given the strength of the country and the strength of the State of Victoria's, financial services industry. Victoria's sound regulatory environment, highly-educated workforce and the projected growth of the fund management sector make Victoria and its capital Melbourne an attractive location for investment.

Victoria's support of this Index and the State's cluster of funds managers, asset consultants and custody businesses reflects the fact that Melbourne is the Asia-Pacific center for pension investment activity and expertise.

The Index shines a light on the need for pension systems to account for rapidly ageing population and includes suggestions to further improve each country’s retirement income system. The report recommends for the US that the minimum pension for low-income pensioners is raised; introducing a requirement that part of the retirement benefit must be taken as an income stream; and, reducing pre-retirement leakage by further limiting the access to funds before retirement

Australia's sophisticated funds management sector is underpinned by a federally mandated retirement savings scheme and a robust and competitive private sector funds management industry. Six out of Australia’s top ten industry pension funds are based in Melbourne. Victoria’s financial services industry employs more than 110,000 people.

Victorian Companies Exhibit at AUSA 2011 in Washington, D.C. as part of Team Australia Defense Delegation

2011-10-11T01:59:00.002+11:00

Greetings from Washington DC. Our Victorian Government team in the Americas is working with a delegation of world-class Victorian defense and aerospace companies to Washington, D.C., for the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2011 Annual Meeting and Exposition (AUSA). The delegation includes business owners from across the spectrum of Victoria’s successful defense industry. Melbourne is recognized as the major center of the Australian defense industry and the State of Victoria has more than 300 businesses and 8,000 employees that supply defense related products and services, both in Australia and around the globe.

Victoria has more than 300 businesses that supply products and services to the global defense industry and is a significant center for operations & R&D for global companies like Boeing, Raytheon, BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Thales. Victoria’s defense and aerospace industries are driven by internationally recognized education institutions, first-rate vocational training programs and research organizations that give companies in Victoria access to some of the most highly skilled workers in Australia.

Victorian companies attending AUSA as part of Team Australia include:

Aerospace Australia (http://www.aerospaceaustralia.com.au) – As organizers of the largest defense and aerospace exposition in the Asia Pacific region, the Australian International Airshow, Aerospace Australia representatives are experts on international aerospace, defense and aviation industries.

RMIT University (http://www.rmit.edu.au) –RMIT University, Australia’s preeminent university for engineering education and research, is an integral part of Australia’s Defense Materials Technology Centre’s Personnel Survivability Program, which aims to reduce the weight and bulk of soldiers’ equipment.

The Bruck Group (http://www.bruckgroup.com): The Bruck Group will showcase its military fabric for soldiers. The Bruck Group is the largest manufacturer of woven fabrics in Australia and the major supplier of combat apparel fabrics to the Australian Defense Force. Founded in 1946, the Bruck Group specializes in technical fabrics such as and fire protection apparel as well as theater seating and coated window blinds.

The Dentist in a Box (http://www.dentistinabox.com.au) – The Dentist in a Box manufactures a unique dental kit for trauma treatment of teeth in a field environment. The kit provides a temporary fix in a first aid condition and is currently in use with the Australian and New Zealand militaries.

M5 Network Security (http://www.m5netsec.com.au) – M5 Network Security researches and develops technology that uses Internet Protocol for secure communications in defense and national security. M5 partners with internationally leading companies such as Cisco, Fujitsu and IBM, and is a member of Australia’s Defence Industry Security Program.

Victor Perton: Global Cloud Software Provider Zendesk Latest U.S. Company to Join Melbourne’s Emerging Software-as-a-Service Industry

2011-09-21T03:32:00.003+10:00

Global Cloud Software Provider Zendesk Latest U.S. Company to Join Melbourne’s Emerging Software-as-a-Service Industry: Company chooses Victorian capital as Asia Pacific headquarters

SAN FRANCISCO and MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – September 20, 2011 – Zendesk, the leading provider of cloud-based helpdesk software, today opened its Asia Pacific headquarters in the Australian city of Melbourne. Melbourne has become the heart of the cloud movement in the Asia Pacific, and the establishment of Zendesk’s Asia Pacific headquarters in the city is just the latest in a trend of U.S.-based companies launching a presence in the State of Victoria to leverage its broadband infrastructure and thriving SaaS industry. Recent research by Springboard Research suggests that among the markets in the Asia Pacific region, the Australia and New Zealand markets will see the most robust growth in terms of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) adoption, with approximately $772 million USD in revenue expected in 2012. "

Zendesk's Melbourne expansion follows an investment trend by leading SaaS companies take advantage of Australia’s early adoption of cloud technology and business practices,” said Victor Perton, commissioner to the Americas for the State Government of Victoria, Australia. "Zendesk's investment is strategically important for the Australian State of Victoria and its capital of Melbourne. We trust Australian innovation and support will underpin Zendesk's accelerating global expansion."

Zendesk’s Asia Pacific office will enable the company to better grow its business in the region and support its Australian customers, which include Australasian leaders REA Group, Lonely Planet and New Zealand Post.

“We see a huge opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region via Australia and New Zealand in particular. Both regions have a large number of businesses that are keen to adopt SaaS technology,” said Zendesk Vice President and Asia Pacific Managing Director Michael Folmer Hansen. “Using cloud-based technologies, such as Zendesk, businesses are realizing they can deliver great customer support, fast. It’s easy to use, cost effective and can be introduced without disruption to current customer service systems.”

Since it was formed in 2007, Zendesk has already acquired more than 10,000 customers worldwide, ranging from small businesses right up to global giants including Adobe, Xerox, MSNBC, Sony Music and Groupon.

"We welcome Zendesk's talented team to Melbourne, a city that is well-known as the best regional hub for Asian-Pacific operations by global technology companies,” continued Perton. “With Melbourne as the hub of the Australian National Broadband Network, the market resembles the United States but is likely to deliver faster and better results to companies.”

For business inquiries regarding Victoria’s ICT industry, contact Victor Perton, Commissioner to the Americas, State Government of Victoria, Australia (415.856.0552 ext. 103, victor.perton@dbi.vic.gov.au) or Chris O’Meara, Investment Manager for the State of Victoria, Australia (chris.omeara@invest.vic.gov.au).

About Invest Victoria

Invest Victoria is the investment promotion agency of the State Government of Victoria, Australia based in Melbourne and across the globe including San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC and New York. Invest Victoria provides a single entry point to a range of business and investment services for companies wanting to set up or expand their business operations through foreign direct investment (FDI) in the state of Victoria. For more information on Invest Victoria's services, visit www.investvictoria.com

Weekend Reflection: Intelligent Clothing Technology from Victoria

2011-08-29T23:01:00.006+10:00

As you know, I believe Victorians are among the most creative people on earth. Yesterday in San Francisco, I was delighted to be briefed by Karen Bender of Footfalls and Heartbeats on her company's plans to develop their nanotech intelligent fabric conceived and first developed at Melbourne's RMIT. The fabric detects vital signs including respiration and transmits it to a device like a smart-phone or iPad to measure health and/or performance.

Karen and her now Wellington-based company were introduced to me by Melbourne's very talented Elaine Saunders who recently left RMIT to return to the private sector.

Karen has recorded a video (below) which summarises what the work involves and the global nature of innovation, market and government funding for R& D. By the way, Karen is a Canadian by birth, an Australian by choice and currently resident in Wellington, New Zealand.

The CTO of the firm, Simon McMaster recently completed a Textile Technology masters degree at RMIT. He says, “It’s about the way the fabric itself is knitted, along with the way we will carry out the nano particulate deposition... Using chemistry, we’re using a bottom up methodology. We’ve taken a basic textile, mucked around with its structure and added nano at the molecular level. We’ve produced a robust, durable fabric that doesn’t feel or look any different to the original textile.”

Murderous Mexico? Trouble in an otherwise delightful country.

2011-08-29T04:50:00.006+10:00

Those of you who follow this blog know that I am very upbeat about the opportunities that Mexico offers Victoria and that Victoria offers Mexico. I generally have a rose-coloured glasses view of the world and look at the positive whenever possible. Not all share that view of the world and given last week's shocking murder of over 50 casino patrons and staff in the otherwise lovely and productive city of Monterrrey, security concerns need to be addressed as you think of doing business or travelling in Mexico.

The Australian Broadcasting Commission's radio program Background Briefing recently aired a piece by the American writer Charles Bowden. It was rebroadcast from a speech Charles Bowden made at the Commonwealth Club based here in San Francisco. The lead for the program was, "In the first five months of this year, an astonishing 18,500 Mexicans have been murdered - with very few convictions. In the last five years 66 journalists have been murdered. Mexico is a failed state with corruption, no rule of law, and spin and lies all around - including in America. The speaker is American non-fiction writer Charles Bowden."

The Commonwealth Club's Video is embedded below. It is an interesting and tough speech written from a left-of-centre perspective.

I have previously written about the crime problems of Mexico. As you can imagine with Mexico in my region of responsibility, I am deeply troubled by the violence which is affecting this society. The problems travel to Australia. Tanya Plibersek, the Australian federal Minister for Human Services and Social Inclusion early this year said ‎"Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel is responsible for about half the cocaine importation in eastern Australia."

Despite these problems, Victoria has strong interests in Mexico through manufacturing, mining and educational links. Mexico is Australia's second largest trading partner in Latin America. There are strong business and educational links between Nuevo Leon in Northern Mexico and Victoria. Victorian based businesses successfully operating in Mexico including BHPBilliton, Orica, Howe Leather, Securency International, Duratray International and TNA. There is potential for further growth in Mexican investment in Victoria, sound reasons for Victorian manufacturers to establish partnerships in northern Mexico and great opportunities for increased exchange in education. Infrastructure projects offer opportunity in water, roads and the like as Mexico's President Calderon is acting to increase private financing of road, bridge and real estate projects by utilising part of the 1.28 trillion pesos held by the nation’s pension funds.

The business potential needs to be balanced against the real dangers of travel in parts on northern Mexico. Austrade's Mexico team led by Radek Divis has an excellent website setting out those opportunities in greater detail.

See "Mexico - Our Patch too"

Victorian Opportunities Still Strong in the USA

2011-08-29T01:29:00.008+10:00

This year, I've been pleased to see my effective Access Americas team busy in supporting Victorian exporters despite the rising dollar. I believe this is especially useful to Victorian companies in the light of the changed priorities of Austrade in this space.

Despite the bad news on the American economy which dominates the media, the American markets have a strong regard for Victorian and Australian know-how and quality. We have seen strong interest in doing business in Australia and foreign direct investment from the Americas remains strong. By way of further example, Juniper Networks, a world-leader in designing and developing high performance networking solutions, this week opened its new Melbourne headquarters.

The aggregate global figures on goods exports bear out my impressions. Victoria’s exports of goods last financial year were worth $19.6 billion, an increase of $1.2 billion or 6.6 per cent from the previous financial year. The USA is Victoria's fourth biggest market for goods. China was Victoria’s largest market followed by New Zealand, Japan and the USA.

The largest goods exports to the USA include medicaments, meat and aircraft parts. Our team has a focus on these sectors and others including automotive and water technology. I have previously written about the opportunities in the aerospace and defence sectors.

On the import side, the USA is the second largest source of imports to Victoria after China and followed by Germany and Japan. The largest imports from the USA are non-electric engines, cars and car engines, vehicle parts and measuring and analysing instruments.

I will be in Melbourne for consultations in early September. I will be doing several presentations and round-tables. What are the opportunities in the Americas you think I should highlight to our Victorian audience?

Weekend Thoughts: Machu Pichu

2011-08-09T23:30:00.004+10:00

Thirty thousand Australians visit Peru every year and the numbers continue to grow. Many are headed to Machu Pichu so it was no surprise as I headed towards there to hear Australian accents and have the chance to talk to folk about their positive experiences in South America. As you travel to this 15th-century Inca site, you pass through groves of eucalypts heightening the connection with Australia.

Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. I imagined life in quiet contemplation in the 15th century and it must have been uplifting for those selected to study and live there. The construction is marvellous and demonstrates a determination to connect with god and the heavens. The main archaeological treasures: the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows were dedicated to the sun god. The examples of top quality astronomy and mathematics still surprise and presumably built on the work of the civilisations of Central America.

It is the hundredth anniversary of its discovery by Hiram Bingham of Yale University and I am grateful to him. Machu Picchu is a World Heritage site and deservedly so.

The UNESCO website describes its wonders better than I can. "Standing 2,430 m above sea level, in the midst of a tropical mountain forest in an extraordinarily beautiful setting, Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height. Its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna. Machu Picchu covers 32,500 ha in some of the scenically most attractive mountainous territory of the Peruvian Andes. As the last stronghold of the Incas and of superb architectural and archaeological importance, Machu Picchu is one of the most important cultural sites in Latin America; the stonework of the site remains as one of the world's great examples of the use of a natural raw material to provide outstanding architecture which is totally appropriate to the surroundings. The surrounding valleys have been cultivated continuously for well over 1,000 years, providing one of the world's greatest examples of a productive man-land relationship; the people living around Machu Picchu continue a way of life which closely resembles that of their Inca ancestors, being based on potatoes, maize and llamas."

If you are contemplating a journey to South America, I assure you that Machu Picchu and its surrounds merit a visit.

U.S.A. Credit Rating Downgrade: a Victorian Perspective

2011-08-08T23:22:00.008+10:00

In 1991 the State of Victoria suffered a double downgrade of the State’s long-term credit rating to A1. This led to determined action by the then newly elected Liberal-National Coalition Government to bring debt under control, balance the budget and communicate "the improving economy and credit of Victoria to rating agencies and investor groups, to enhance the State’s debt profile and improve funding costs." In April 1998, The State of Victoria was upgraded by Standard & Poor's to AAA. The bipartisan political view is that it is important that the rating be maintained.

Shooting the messenger was not a viable strategy.

The community consensus built as a result of the Victorian debt crisis of the early nineties has created a Victorian community which is undeniably more prosperous with the capital, Melbourne, ranked as one of the best cities on earth.

So what about the United States? Can the U.S. become stronger as a result?

Last week's Economist editorial caught my mood in referring to the USA's "underlying strengths. It still has huge advantages over other rich countries: a younger, less-taxed population, a more innovative economy and, for now at least, the dollar as the global reserve currency. If only it had the political leaders to match, its chance of avoiding recession would be far better than one in two."

The crisis is one of confidence and political mismanagement. In my humble opinion, the White House and the Congress still don't feel the pressure to take action. The White House strategy is to attack Standard and Poor's. "The agency's decision to downgrade the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA-plus triggered intense criticism from Obama administration officials over the weekend, perhaps the angriest comments over their two-and-a-half years in office."

I will admit most people regard Standard and Poor's as throwing stones from a glasshouse. Its rating of debt instruments is regarded as contributing to the financial meltdown of 2008. However the reasons for the downgrade are evident to all except the American political class. American exceptionalism is still heavy in the rhetoric of politicians of both sides. Bringing budgets into balance at the federal level and in the large states like California seems to be beyond the political process at present.

The Land of Opportunity

The U.S.A. as the world's largest economy by a long shot remains a land of great opportunity.

For Victorians, the United States remains the most important source of foreign direct investment and one of the most important destinations for Victorian investment abroad. For exporters, Americas have a strong and positive perception of the quality of Australian product especially in food, beverage and advanced manufacturing in areas like aerospace.

U.S. corporations are cashed up and looking for opportunity. As the San Francisco chronicle commented. "While the U.S. government is running record deficits, chief executive officers have more money than ever after boosting cash for 10 straight quarters to $963.3 billion, 58 percent more than in December 2007 near the start of the credit crisis, S&P data show. "

Tongue in cheek, commentators noted that Apple Corporation "may not have more money than God. But it's got more cash than Uncle Sam... the US Treasury's cash balance fell to $US74 billion this week. That's less than the $US76 billion that Apple now has in cash."

The Economist is not the font of all wisdom but the same editorial also captured my thoughts on what should have been done, "There was a deal to be had: keep up spending in the short term, with a stress on much-needed infrastructure investment, as well as extending the temporary tax cuts, in exchange for a big medium-term reduction in the deficit, centred on entitlements and tax reform. Congress did precisely the opposite, failing to support the economy now and failing to find enough cuts over the next decade to stabilise America’s debt. Any hard decisions have been given to a commission—a cop-out that condemns workers and firms to more crippling uncertainty about how the country’s fiscal mess will be tackled. Would you build a factory today if you knew that taxes had to rise eventually, but had no idea which ones?"

For another Australian perspective see Saul Eslake's "How to avoid triggering a financial crisis and fix the US budget deficit in six easy steps."

Australia's Foreign Direct Investment Clippings: Australia may just about have it all.

2011-08-08T08:08:00.005+10:00

Reflections on Peru and Victoria, Australia

2011-08-08T01:26:00.007+10:00

This week I spent the week with a talented group of Victorians in Peru. We were received warmly and had excellent meetings with some of the most thoughtful and well-informed folk in Peru including the Governor of the Central Bank, the President of the Peruvian Congress, leaders of the major employer organisations, NGOs like Caritas del Peru and Australian business -folk resident in Peru.

Reflecting on the week, one thing that does strike me is the number of Victorians and Australians who are already travelling to Peru. It is estimated that 30,000 Australians a year travel to Peru.

With eucalypts dotting the Peruvian landscape, Victorians are working in the mining sector, tourism and hospitality and agriculture. By way of example, Melburnian Tammy Gordon runs one of Cuzco's best restaurants, La Cicciolina. Two huge canvases by Melbourne artist Virginia Hodgkinson dominate the dining room.

Melbourne based companies like BHPBilliton, Rio Tinto, NewCrest, Karoon Resources, Amcor and Orica have operations in Peru too. Australian investment is estimated at A$1.7 billion (with more than A$3 billion in new projects pending), placing Australia among Peru’s top 10 investors.

Peruvian students seek out high quality education in Victoria especially in post-graduate courses.

The election of a left-wing Peruvian government has caused some fears amongst local business people and foreign investors. To help allay those fears and maintain the confidence of the international business community, President Ollanta Humula has appointed business folk including former opposition figures into the business-relevant ministries.

To international approval, the President reappointed Julio Velarde as the Governor of the Peruvian Central Bank. Dr Velarde gave us a generous amount of his time and was a guest of honour at our reception. He is most impressive.

My feeling is that Peru will continue to grow strongly. We spoke to many people who did not vote for the President but almost all took the pragmatic view that the President's social programs need to be built up on solid GDP growth and this requires a resilient and confidence private sector.

Mining law will become more stringent and mining approvals will require more skills around local community approval. This is probably a good thing and Australian miners are particularly good at this. The promised increase in the minimum wage to US$275 per month may reduce some of the social tensions in Peru.

Our Ambassador, John Woods, and the Australian Trade Commissioner, Dan Sullivan, are doing great jobs and provide good support for Australians investigating the opportunities for investment and two-way trade. Our Victorian Government Business offices and the Access America program provide support for Victorians entering the market.

Personal security is an issue for travellers and business. The DFAT Smart Traveller site states, "We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Peru because of the significant levels of serious crime.... We strongly advise you not to travel to the areas bordering Colombia and Ecuador in the regions of Loreto, Amazonas and Cajamarca because of the risk of kidnapping and the presence of unexploded ordnance and landmines. Narcotics traffickers reportedly operate in the border area between Peru and Colombia. This area is heavily patrolled and monitored by the Peruvian army."

In conclusion, there is great warmth for Australians which underpins the opportunities. We have a job to do to increase awareness of Australian expertise in areas other than mining and related industries. We will continue to build and maintain our networks and look for opportunities for Victorians. I will be back in Melbourne for consultations in September and there are already a couple of fora which will cover Latin American matters including Peru. Please feel free to touch base with me by phone or email.

Caritas del Peru Poverty Alleviation Programs

2011-08-04T07:43:00.001+10:00

Today we met with Caritas del Peru. I have previously written about meeting with Caritas as the Victorian Government channelled its Chilean earthquake relief through Caritas Chile.

Caritas del Peru has a strong relationship with its sister organisation Caritas Australia. (See an article on a visit by the former Prime Minister Rudd to an Australian Caritas aid project in Peru).

Caritas del Peru was created in 1955 by the Peruvian Catholic Bishops Conference. It has a strong national network with 50 chapters. Its strategic objectives include: dignity of the person; and, economic development and promotion of decent employment for all. Its national strategic partners include 125 private organisations and more than 20 public institutions.

The Peruvian economic story is very good but as the recent election result showed, poverty remains a problem.. This is especially the case in the Andean region.

Some notes from the briefing: there have been social conflicts due to environmental disputes and resource allocation; terrorism remains a problem; and, it is alleged Peru is the world's largest cocaine producer. The exclusion factors include: urban-rural divide; mother tongue; education level; and, gender.

Caritas social development programs include health and nutrition. This involves very practical projects like improved cooking through more efficient ovens and improved sanitation. Its work includes training families to improve crop yields especially the dairy yield per cow. Its work includes improving crop yields through better seeds. There is a project to redevelop native cotton to help create unique value-added products. Similarly, there is work to have further value add to loche crops. These projects especially pasture improvement have been among the most successful programs in reducing the incidence of the most extreme poverty.

Emergency assistance and disaster recovery are important elements of its work.

It has a micro finance program. About 65% of recipients of micro finance are women establishing small business enterprises. This work is underpinned by the capacity building projects.

In 2010, the budget of Caritas del Peru was US$17 million on 65 projects and supported at least 600,000 families.

Location:Jose Santos Chocano,Lima District,Peru

ProInversion Peru - Private investment Promotion Agency

2011-08-02T07:50:00.001+10:00

This was a most interesting meeting in Lima this week. Proinversion is rated as one of the world's best investment promotion agencies.

The Exective Director, Jorge Alejandro Leon Ballen, and his team presented the broad spectrum of Peru's Foreign Direct Investment record and forward program in many sectors from airports to agriculture to mining.

As I have previously written, opportunities exist for Victorian Companies in the agribusiness sector, building and construction, education, infrastructure and energy sectors to name a few. Mining and mining services already involve Melbourne based companies like BHP, Rio, NewCrest and Karoon Resources. Amcor and Orica have operations in Peru too.

Mr Leon was very confident that FDI would continue to grow as the new Peruvian Governmentneeds to fund its social programs. PPPs have proved to be a very efficient method to finance public infrastructure.

Any Victorian company wanting a copy of Proinversion's presentation can email or call me. The website which is in English as well as Spanish may be found at Www.Proinversion.gob.pe

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Location:Malecón de Armendáriz,Lima District,Peru

Santiago, Chile: "Sustainable Cities of the Future"

2011-07-30T05:35:00.001+10:00

The Sustainable Cities of the Future forum was convened in Santiago, Chile, as aa partnership between the Chilean Government, the Australian Urban Systems Cluster, the Industry Capability Network, the Victorian Government and Parliament, the Australian Government and its Council on Latin American Relations (COALAR).

The forum was opened by Australian Ambassador Virginia Greville. The Ambassador's speech was insightful and covered the similarity in the challenges faced by Santiago and Melbourne and the innovative solutions developed by each.

The Honourable Bruce Atkinson, President of the Victorian Legislative Council, made a terrific speech covering the urban planning issues which Melbourne and Victoria faced over the decades. He spoke about livability and the relationship with sustainability and Melbourne's success as evidenced by many global benchmarks. His great speech set the scene for the collaboration and business-matching to follow. Bruce and his Victorian Parliamentary Delegation helped create and reinforce government to government partnerships which will underpin the private sector partnerships created.

Ms Vivien Villagran, Director of National Planning, the Chilean Ministry of Public Works, laid out the Chilean Government's Urban Infrastructure plans, developments and expenditure. She set out the Government's projections on the impact of climate change and its impacts on the major sectors of the Chilean economy. Chilean coastal cities are exposed to the impact of climate change.

Eduardo Contreras, the Director of the Technical Division, Ministry of Housing, spoke about the norms and standards in energy efficiency in housing. Since 2007, there has been auditing of lighting, heating and air-conditioning which has brought about collaboration between institutions and the private sector to develop better sustainability standards. Ninety percent of the population live in a relatively mild Mediterranean climate. At the end of July, there will be voluntary energy labeling of new houses. Chile will continue to provide incentives for sustainability and improve standards for public buildings and make them reference points.

I spoke on the existing and and potential business, education and institutional relationships between Victoria and Chile. My duty was then to introduce our companies an set the scene for their presentations.

Jack Barlow from RMIT's Office of Urban Transformation Research gave a wonderful presentation on then work done in China and beyond. Ross Perrett of Thompson Perrett gave a great presentation on his business's global practice working in 30 countries. Daniel Fellandler of Visionary Design Development, a Melbourne and Santiago practice, spoke about human needs and sustainability. David Racz of LAB Architectural Studio gave a very interesting presentation on sustainable design with special emphasis on the sustainability elements of Melbourne's Federation Square. Other Victorian companies and institutions involved included Box Hill Institute, Frank Advice, Industry Capability Network, Pacific Hydro Chile, Cultural Exchange Consultancy, Metricon and Chirag Tooling.

Gloria Maldonado, Deputy Director International of InnovaChile, spoke about the development of new technologies, commercializing new technology, innovation from civil and state entities. Her organisation works to build novel developments. InnovaChile aims to strengthen the whole innovation system in Chile. "We want to contribute to greater sustainability and give people the tools they need to strengthen everything to do in productivity. We are currently working with Australia to bring entrepreneurs to Chile and help them settle into Chilean society. We are looking for incubators. We want to develop Centres of excellence like the CSIRO partnership in Chile."

Mr. Crispin Conroy, Australian Senior Trade Commissioner for Latin America, spoke about the work of Austrade and the benefits of the high level Victorian Parliamentary delegation in building the relationship with Chilean institutions. The key Australian investors in Chile are from Melbourne and Victoria. He spoke of the Victorian state government as a key ally of Austrade in building the trade and investment relationship and lauded the work of the ICN and Australian Urban Systems. He spoke about "over the horizon" opportunities like financial services and the water services sector. Sustainability is a key opportunity for both Chile and Australia. Victoria is well known for the innovation of its designers in architecture, urban design and sustainability.

Mr Christian Yanez, Manager of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building, Technology Development Corporation (CDT) of the Chilean Construction Chamber (CChC) was the last speaker. The mission of CDT is to contribute to technology transfer in the building and construction industry. One of their major activities is in the area of conferences, seminars and technical training for the industry. They are doing a lot of work in sustainability with best practice manuals and journals which are available free of charge. There are substantial differences in energy consumption depending on the climate zone. He produced a very interesting table comparing Australian energy consumption with Chilean household consumption. In all areas of use, Australian households use higher levels of energy.

In conclusion, this was a very useful event. Long term partnerships have been formed. Austalian and Chilean firms and folks should be encouraged to seek more collaboration and business opportunities in each other's markets. Victorian and Chilean firms should feel free to approach me, ICN and Austrade to help make those approaches.

** photo: Ambassador Virginia Greville and Victor Perton

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Location:Santiago, Chile

Fundacion Minera Escondida

2011-07-28T23:35:00.003+10:00

Minera Escondida, which means 'hidden' in Spanish, is a mining company that operates two open pit copper mines in the Atacama Desert, 170 km southeast of Antofagasta in northern Chile. It is the highest producing copper mine in the world producing mainly metal in concentrate and produces nearly 10% of world output and more than a quarter of 26% Chilean production. The mine is owned 57.5% by Victorian headquartered BHP Billiton and 30% by Rio Tinto which has a substantial proportion of its headquarters in Melbourne.

The strike which has closed the mine meant that I was not able to visit the mine nevertheless I was able to observe its operations and social sustainability work in Antofastaga.

The Fundacion Minera Escondida has been operating since 1996. Its social investment has been $41 million. There have been 600000 direct participants in its programs. Its development is focused on people. Looking ahead it is focused on supporting quality of eduction programs, entrepreneurship and civil society in the region. In its community building it has some great programs on culture and young people. It has important projects in social infrastructure.

The foundation has constructed 5 preschools and 12 nurseries in high risk communities. Its capacity building work aims to turn the Centres into axes of community development.

Other programs include library services, children's protection, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, sports network, a stadium and recreation facilities like the La Chimba Artificial Beach.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad: Location:Liber Bernardo O`Higgins,Antofagasta,Chile

Chile's Energy Minister resigns after three days in the job.

2011-07-23T23:41:00.001+10:00

I am in Chile to support two visiting Victorian delegations. The Chilean mining sector is one in which Victorian based companies like BHPBilliton, Orica, Gekko and several others are important participants.

It was surprising to read this week's news that the Chilean Energy Minister Fernando Echeverria’s resigned after only three days in the job over a conflict of interest after being named to the position July 18 by President Sebastian. Mr. Echeverria explained in a news conference Thursday night that his own investigation discovered the conflicts between Chile’s energy ministry and the family companies he has been running. He gave up his job as governor of Santiago on Monday to take the energy post.

As you can imagine, "Presidential spokesman Andres Chadwick says the decision shows how honorable Echeverria is. Opposition leaders, however, are calling it an embarrassing spectacle."

President Pinera had restructured his cabinet on Monday and made eight ministerial changes including a new education minister after large student demonstrations.

Location:Armando Cortinez,Pudahuel,Chile

Federation of Industries of Rio de Janeiro and Australian Urban Systems: Urban Sustainable Forum

2011-07-22T23:35:00.001+10:00

Friday, Rio de Janeiro: The Urban Sustainable Forum with a strong program of B2B meetings was built on the three year partnership between FIRJAN and the Victorian Government sponsored industry cluster, Australian Urban Systems. The partnership agreement was signed by FIRJAN's Amaury Temporal and me in 2009. Victorian business has gained credibility with the sustained engagement by the Industry Capability Network, the Australian Urban Systems Cluster and AISES. I have had the honour of supporting these efforts and first wrote about the opportunities in 2009.

The business opportunities for Victorians and other Australians in Brazil are enormous. So too the opportunities for Brazilians in Victoria and wider Australia are huge. Two way investment is now around $4 billion per year.

The forum was opened by Carlos Mariani, Vice President of FIRJAN, who has a deep knowledge of Australia. The keynote speech was delivered by Ronaldo Veirano, the Honorary Consul for Australia and a highly-respected figure in Brazilian business. The Honorary Consul for Brazil in Melbourne, Roger Frankel, spoke about the need for trusted partners and the great role FIRJAN has played in providing opportunities for Victorian & Brazilian companies to partner.

We were fortunate to have a detailed presentation by Roberto Kauffman, the President of the Building and Construction Industry association of Rio de Janeiro. His presentation included several opportunities for Victorian business and those Victorian businesses and institutions interested should contact Candida Costa-Wong of the Industry Capability Network (Victoria). They included Olympic facilities and services; social housing; urban revitalization including the central city and the docklands; and, transport infrastructure.

As in Curitiba, the Victorian companies made brilliant presentations. Those companies and institutions included LAB Architecture Studio, CETEC, Thomson Perrett, RMIT Architecture and Visionary Design Development. These companies and the other Victorian businesses then engaged in an active B2B program.

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Location:R. Santa Clara,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

Australian Urban Systems "Sustainable Cities" Forum in Curitiba, Brazil

2011-07-22T00:41:00.001+10:00

Thursday, Curitiba: The Australian Urban Systems "Sustainable Systems" Forum in Curitiba, Brazil, was an excellent event strongly supported by the Parana State Government, the City of Curitiba and local business and institutions. The aim is to create partnerships and opportunity for Victorian and Parana Business, partnerships between institutions and partnerships by the government agencies to underpin business opportunities.

Curitiba has a global reputation for sustainability with a world leading bus public transport system. Independent assessments have Curitiba as having the equal lowest CO2 emissions per capita of any city in the world. It also sources almost 80 percent of its energy from renewable energy.

There are many historical parallels between the States and our cities and both sides have much to offer each other in business, ideas, programs and institutional partnerships.

The keynote was delivered by the globally distinguished State Secretary of Planning, Cassio Taniguchi. Mr. Taniguchi has visited and spoken in Melbourne and has a very high opinion of Melbourne's design and environmental capability. He spoke of his admiration of Melbourne's lifestyle and liveability.

I set the scene for the Victorian delegation and was followed by the Australian Urban Systems representative, Candida Costa-Wong. Other local speakers included the Secretary for Planning for the City of Curitiba, Carlos Homero Giacomini; the Instituto de Pesquita e planejamento Urbano de Curitiba's Ricardo Bindo and Teresa Christina Torres; and, the Curitiba Department of Environment.

The Victorian companies which presented included the Lab Architecture Studio, Thomson Perrett, CETEC with its professional scientific solutions, and the RMIT architecture team. Other Victorian participants included: Pacific Hydro which has excellent operations in Latin America including a supplier from Curitiba; and, Visionary Design Development.

Attendees I met included a wide range of folk from the private architecture and urban design companies, city and state urban planners and a wide range of interests including designers and advocates for access for the disabled. Organist ions included the Instituto municipal de Turismo Curitiba

Thank you to the Brazilian side which worked hard to make the event a success. Secretary Taniguchi's team put in a great effort and the Secretary participated in all of the forum activities. We look forward to a long term relationship between AUS and IPPUC.

Congratulations to the team at Australian Urban Systems and the Industry Capability Network for initiating the mission which has been supported by the Victorian Government and its team at the Department of Business and Innovation.

Location:R. Francisco Rocha,Curitiba,Brazil

Melbourne, Australia, Poised to Become the World's Most Attractive Location for Research and Development

2011-06-20T07:14:00.005+10:00

Providing a valuable incentive for further American investment in Australia, the Australian Government has announced an agreement under which the Parliament will enact a AU$1.8 billion R&D tax credit that will deliver funding to innovative firms in industries including advanced manufacturing, information and communications technologies, and biotechnology. The scheme is expected to come into force on 1 July 2011.

In anticipation of this legislation, KPMG, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory services firm, last year produced a report showing that this new system would benefit almost every sector of the Australian economy. The KPMG report also noted that introduction of this globally competitive system would make Melbourne the world's most attractive tax environment for R&D.

With the new R&D tax credit, Melbourne, Australia, will be the world's most attractive city for research and development.

We are laying out the welcome mat for innovative American companies seeking to expand to the Asia-Pacific and take advantage of our highly skilled workforce. This tax credit places Australia and especially the State of Victoria head and shoulders above other countries as a destination for cutting-edge research. With many international firms already conducting leading-edge research in Victoria, this tax credit will further strengthen the Australian technology sector and support future breakthroughs At recent business conferences in the U.S., there has been a buzz around this proposal, with many American business people finding the Australian R&D proposition compelling and saying this should be the new model for U.S. tax treatment of research and development. Recent investments by IBM, Boeing, Polycom, Netapp, and EA Games have all been based around the high quality of Australian R&D, the flexibility of our workers and Australia's business-friendly visa regime. Added to this cocktail, the R&D tax credit makes Victoria the obvious place to do business.

The new tax system will be relevant to all companies that carry out R&D activities through a permanent establishment in Australia. Subsidiaries of foreign-owned firms, small to medium enterprises, start-ups, and incubator companies will be the big winners under the new tax rules.

Under the new broad-based system, companies with turnover of less than AU$20 million will be eligible for a 45 percent refundable tax credit. The credit will also be refundable for companies with a tax loss, with the Australian Government providing an upfront cash refund of 45 percent for eligible R&D activities.

Larger corporations are eligible for a 40 percent non-refundable standard R&D tax credit; however, unused credit amounts will be able to be carried forward for use in future years.

KPMG's biennial study, Competitive Alternatives, found that companies benefited from an 88 percent lesser tax burden for R&D activities carried out in Melbourne than in the United States.

Victoria already leads Australia for business expenditure on R&D by foreign direct investment firms, accounting for 30 percent of the national total in 2008-09.

The state is also the national leader for overall business investment in R&D in key sectors, including automotive (72 percent), basic chemicals (50 percent), advanced food processing (40 percent), and publishing (69 percent).

Melbourne offers investors a highly innovative operating environment with access to world-class research institutions, a strong pipeline of talented and motivated professionals, a stable and transparent regulatory environment, and an extremely high quality of life in one of the world's most liveable cities.

A new Advanced Manufacturing Precinct at RMIT University in Melbourne will further improve Victoria's strong advanced manufacturing sector

2011-06-13T11:20:00.004+10:00

A new Advanced Manufacturing Precinct at RMIT University in Melbourne will further improve Victoria's strong advanced manufacturing sector. Advanced manufacturing accounts for around half of Victoria's manufacturing output and includes automotive, aerospace, machinery and tooling, medical instrumentation and new materials such as high-performance textiles

The Advanced Manufacturing Precinct will help Victorian companies develop new sustainable products with state of the-art equipment.

Digital manufacturing technologies housed at the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct include high-speed multi-axis machining centres that use subtractive processes and additive manufacturing technologies, and include Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM).

The equipment can build final products direct from a computer model in diverse materials, ranging from timber and polymers, to resins and composites or metals and high tech alloys. Highly accurate digital coordinate measuring machines (CMM) will allow detailed verification for quality assurance and reverse engineering.

As a result, some traditional manufacturing processes such as cutting, milling, grinding, tool-making, die-casting and plating can be by-passed. This offers dramatic savings in time, materials, energy and other costs, and significant reductions in adverse environmental impact.

These new manufacturing technologies will enable the production of a greater diversity of innovative products that meet a very wide range of consumer needs compared to conventional manufacturing technologies.

In opening the center, the Victorian Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Richard Dalla-Riva said, "RMIT's Advanced Manufacturing Precinct gives companies access to advanced manufacturing functions and services not available in-house, including one of Australia's two additive manufacturing machines."

The global market for additive manufacturing is estimated to be growing about 16 per cent per annum and will reach US$3.5 billion by 2015.

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, said "The precinct will deliver cross-disciplinary training to meet whole-of-industry needs by incorporating teaching in engineering and advanced manufacturing technologies, applied design, development, production, marketing and management."

Also of interest, the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct has commissioned Australia’s first commercial hybrid solar lighting technology as part of the City of Melbourne’s 1200 Buildings Program, which aims to reduce energy use, save water and lower carbon emissions. Most solar technologies turn sunlight into heat or electricity. The hybrid solar light tracks the sun and concentrates its energy through a fibre-optic cable to an area, such as a basement, which has no direct access to sunlight.

See the Website for the Cente at http://www.rmit.edu.au/advancedmanufacturing

Chilean Volcano disrupts lives in Australia, New Zealand and South America

2011-06-13T00:41:00.007+10:00

The Chilean Puyehue Volcano which erupted on June 4, displacing thousands of Chileans, has sent ash as far as Melbourne and disrupted airline flights in Australia and New Zealand as well as South America. The Patagonia region in southern Argentina was the most affected with as much 30 centimetres of ash piled on highways. The map from the Australian newspaper shows the eastward flow of the cloud.

All flights in and out of Victoria & Tasmania were cancelled as well as flights between Australia and the New Zealand. In South America, flights from airports in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santiago and southern Brazilian cities were grounded over the weekend because of clouds of ash high in the sky. The disruption is expected to be in the order of a few days.

With the initial ash plume reaching 15,240m (50,000 feet) into the atmosphere, the volcanic cloud reached Australian airspace last night.

While unusual,

20 years ago southeastern Australia was affected by volcanic ash from another Chilean volcano, Cerro Hudson, which sent ash around the world.

The Australian Government's Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, advised the ash from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano moved eastward around the globe, past the tip of South Africa, and on Saturday had been carried by strong winds below the Great Australian Bight, Tasmania and New Zealand. It should dissipate over the next 36 hours.

As you can imagine, the volcano has disrupted the lives of Chileans living in the vicinity of the volcano. This video below describes the local disruption.

American Presidential Politics: Sarah Palin, the movie "Undefeated"

2011-06-10T23:34:00.004+10:00

A movie about Sarah Palin, The Undefeated, will be released this month. The pro-Palin film debuts this month in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina -- states that hold early presidential nominating contests. The announcement occurred on the same day the Alaskan Government announced it was releasing the former Governor's emails in printed form. It also occurs against the backdrop of the resignation of the senior campaign team of presidential candidate Newt Gingrich which may herald the presidential candidature of Texas Governor Rick Perry.

"We knew we had a great story to tell about a true American hero," said filmmaker Stephen Bannon. Bannon said he was approached by Palin aide Rebecca Mansour to put together a series of videos that would help explain why Palin left her job as Alaska governor some 18 months before her term ended. Conservatives such as Tammy Bruce and Andrew Breitbart are in the film, as well as clips from activists such as Jamie Radtke, a Virginia Tea Party leader who is now running for the U.S. Senate. Alaska state workers and Palin's political advisers are also in the movie.

Glenn Bracken Evans, co-founder of Victory Film Group, which financed the movie, says Palin's story is like "Rocky" in a political arena. "The documentary is made to be seen on a big screen. With its story of a small-town girl who, against all odds, rises to the pinnacles of American government, the film plays with all the drama of a Rocky picture, only with a woman as the central figure and with politics instead of boxing."

Peruvian Election: Leftist Ollanta Humala wins a close Election

2011-06-07T23:10:00.013+10:00

Left-leaning Ollanta Humala narrowly defeated Keiko Fujimori to become Peru's 94th president Monday. He will be sworn in on 28 July.

In the congressional elections, Mr Humala’s Nationalist Party has won only 47 of 130 seats. Ms Fujimori's right-of-centre party Fuerza 2011 will have 37. There are three blocs in the centre: 21 seats of former President Alejandro Toledo's party, 12 seats of third-placed presidential candidate Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's "Alliance for the Big Change," and nine seats of former Lima Mayor Luis Castaneda's party. Outgoing President Alan Garcia's ruling APRA party, once Peru's most powerful party, won just four seats.

In his victory speech, Mr Humala said he'd work to convert a decade-long economic boom that is the envy of Latin America into "the great motor of the social inclusion Peruvians desire." He says he'll do so by taxing windfall mining profits and exporting less natural gas so Peruvians get it cheaper.

Why did Humala win?

Ollanta Humala first came to prominence in 2000 as an army lieutenant colonel, when he led 50 soldiers who seized and occupied one of Southern Cooper Corp.’s mines to protest corruption in the Fujimori government. Mr Humala' brother, Antauro Humala, is in jail for killing four policemen during the takeover of a highland town in 2005. Former President Fujimori also languishes in prison.

My Peruvian friends have mixed reactions. Bloomberg.com's editorial captures these reactions, "Ask Peruvians how their country did during the last decade and you will get sharply different answers depending on whom you ask. Those of European or mixed ancestry living in the capital of Lima and the comparatively wealthy coastal areas will likely note that, under the prudent stewardship of President Alan Garcia, Peru’s economy grew by 8.8 percent in 2010 with low inflation. But Peruvians in the Andean highlands and urban slums, many of whom are of indigenous ancestry, will tell a different story. They will point out that a third of their countrymen live below the poverty line and that Garcia’s refusal to raise social spending meant that they saw little tangible improvement in their lives."

Reactions

President-elect Humala's election victory sent shock waves through Peruvian markets as the business community had expected a victory by Miss Fujimori. The nation's sharemarket index dropped more than 12.5% on Monday before regulators stopped trading. It was the largest one-day drop in history. Shares of mining companies fell particularly hard.

Bloomberg reported, "Peruvian debt, rated investment grade, is trading like junk on concern that President-elect Ollanta Humala will boost state control of the economy, raise mining royalties and deter investment... Humala, who in the past has supported Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, toned down his anti-business rhetoric in later weeks of his campaign and said he would emulate the pro-market policies of former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva."

In an effort to reassure markets, Mr Humala’s vice president-elect, Omar Chehade, told Lima’s Canal N that the president-elect may appoint an ally of former President Alejandro Toledo to head the Finance Ministry in the next few days to reassure global markets and Peruvians that the country’s economic policies will remain in place.

Obviously, we will be watching closely to see whom the President-elect appoints as Prime Minister, Head of the Central Bank and the Finance Minister.

Congressional Control

There has been a large turnover of congressmen and the Reuter analysis confirms what Peruvian acquaintances have told me, there is little party loyalty in Peru and legislators often change their voting allegiances. Thus the President could gain effective control of the congress. Reuters quotes Manuel Torrado, the director of Peruvian pollster Datum, "I'm sure both of them will fight for consensus in Congress. This will be critical to governing."

Australian Relations and Implications for Victoria

Australia and Peru have a friendly relationship and cooperate in a number of regional and multilateral forums.

As Commissioner, I have travelled there a couple of times and found great interest in Australia and Victoria and opportunities for collaboration in infrastructure, agribusiness and other fields. We have found great interest in Victoria's education offering. Melbourne-based companies like BHPBilliton and Orica have significant business activities in Peru.

We have an excellent Ambassador and Trade Commissioner covering our interests in Lima. We'll be working hard to ensure that warm relations and collaboration continue to grow under the new President.

The Australian Government's Foreign Affairs website states, "Australia re-opened its embassy in Lima in September 2010, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing engagement with Peru and with Latin America generally. Peru has an embassy in Canberra. Australia and Peru work together in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) to promote greater liberalisation of trade and investment and to enhance regional integration. Australia hosted APEC in 2007, Peru in 2008. Australia and Peru are members of the Forum for East Asia Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), and Peru formally joined the Cairns Group in 2007, in line with its interest, shared with Australia, in achieving greater liberalisation of agricultural trade."

Midnight in Paris: Woody Allen's New Film

2011-06-05T14:48:00.003+10:00

In Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen has directed another excellent romantic comedy. The lead character is Gil, a Hollywood screenwriter who’d rather be a novelist and reveres the Paris of the 1920s, the time of Ernest Hemingway, Luis Bunuel, Salvador Dali, T.S. Eliot, Cole Porter, Gertrude Stein. In a nice decoding, the New York Times critic Joseph Berger writes, "Many a writer or artist has longed to travel back in time to the sizzling Paris of the 1920s, to sip absinthe with Hemingway at Les Deux Magots or dine on choucroute garnie with Picasso at La Rotonde. Imagine the conversation! What has beguiled audiences about the new Woody Allen movie, "Midnight in Paris," is that the protagonist, Gil, a disenchanted Hollywood screenwriter played by Owen Wilson, gets to live exactly that fantasy. In the film, which played to packed houses at Bay Area theaters Memorial Day weekend, Gil runs into Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald at an elegant soiree, where he hears Cole Porter crooning "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)." He gets writing advice from a laconic Hemingway, persuades Gertrude Stein to read the manuscript of his novel, and falls in love with Picasso's mistress. He meets Salvador Dali, T.S. Eliot, Djuna Barnes, Josephine Baker, Luis Buñuel, Man Ray and others in the enormously talented cast of expatriates and bohemians that peopled Jazz Age Paris."

I am not a film critic but I know what I like and I commend this film as a fine piece of modern American cinema. The Parisian setting wins from our immediate association of romance and Paris. The dialogue makes us laugh at ourselves as we remember the lines from books and history. I joined in with a laughing happy audience.

Of course, you can never please everyone so I caution you may feel like the caustic Eli Glasner who wrote, "A sweet, somewhat trite story that's cute, but no classic, Midnight in Paris rates three slightly stale croissants out of five."

I suspect Eli is in the minority as the local San Francisco cinema was packed during several sessions today.

Johanna Schneller in the Globe and Mail has written a lovely piece on her telephone interview with Woody Allen. She writes, "You have to understand, I was practically panting into the phone here. Allen is arguably the most dazzlingly productive filmmaker who ever lived."