OPENING OF AALEP REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA

AALEP is pleased to announce the opening of its Representative Office in Australia. The Representative Office will be headed by Ms. Mary Jardine Clarke who is a Principal at Clarke Corporate Communications in Perth, Western Australia.

The opening of the Representative Office is a significant step in Australia-EU relations. The office will function as AALEP’s information office conducting research in the field of public policy advocacy and exchanging information for the mutual benefit of Australia and the EU. The opening is a recognition of Australia’s importance as a major public policy advocacy center. There are over 4,000 lobbyists working full time trying to influence the directions of public policy, 293 lobby companies on the official Register of Lobbyists as well as over 600 individuals recognised lobbyists for hire and part-time ‘in-house’ lobbyists attached to firms and companies. There are also ‘interest’ group members who represent groups and organisations with special needs.

The opening of the Representative Office is also a demonstration of the good relationship and strong trade and economic ties between Australia and the EU.   The EU is the largest foreign investors in Australia accounting for nearly 30% of Australia’s total inwards FDI  especially from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany. Conversely, the EU accounts for $ 80 billion of outwards Australian FDI, primarily in the United Kingdom and Germany. There are opportunities to expand the trade and investment relationship, particularly in continental Europe. Australia is well placed to be a reliable and efficient supplier of energy and resources to Europe for many years to come with its abundant natural resources. Europe is a major market for Australian wine and for pharmaceuticals and vitamin industries. The EU services market, particularly in the education and tourism sectors, is an important market for Australian service providers. Product niches are continuously being identified in the food and beverage industries.