Diplomatic Corps visit to Western Australia

I look forward to showcasing all that Western Australia has to offer in business, tourism and culture when I host a visit of around 80 of the most senior members of the foreign diplomatic corps to my home state from 1-3 May 2014.

The three-day itinerary will give Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Australia an insight into the wealth of opportunities that exist in Western Australia. It will enable them to communicate the investment and trade opportunities in Western Australia to their governments and citizens.

Western Australia is open for business. Around 97 per cent of Australia's iron ore exports and 79 per cent of our natural gas exports come from Western Australia.

A highlight of the visit will be a day trip to see resource projects in the Pilbara, where the group will tour three key engines of Australia's economic growth at BHP-Billiton (Newman), Woodside (Karratha) and Rio Tinto (Dampier).

While in Dampier, Rio Tinto's Cultural Heritage Adviser will take the diplomats to the Burrup Peninsula to see some of the world's most magnificent indigenous rock engravings.

In Perth, the diplomats will attend the In the Zone conference at the University of Western Australia, where Premier Colin Barnett and I will address delegates on issues including Australia's strategic position as a power between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

During the visit, Defence Minister, Senator the Hon David Johnston, will brief the group on Australia's defence policy, and the WA Department of State Development, WA Tourism and the University of Western Australia will address key economic and services sector issues. His Excellency Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC, Governor of Western Australia, will host a reception for the diplomats.

Foreign Minister Bishop and the Diplomatic Corps at the University Club of Western Australia.

Photos: Diplomatic Corps visit to Western Australia, May 2014