A statue, an ambassadorial lunch and launching strong Indo-Pacific relationship opportunities

A statue to commemorate the life and achievements of Edith Cowan – the first Australian woman to serve as a member of Parliament – was the topic of discussion when the Governor and Ms Annus hosted a meeting with Perth City Councillor and architect Sandy Anghie. The statue is a private project funded by Ms Anghie and her husband Michael to give recognition to a notable WA woman as the first female statue represented on St Georges Terrace. The Governor was very happy to provide a letter of support for the project.

2021 marked the 100th anniversary of Edith Cowan’s election to Parliament. The clock tower at the entrance to Kings Park is named in her honour.

Promoting WA’s Bilateral Relations in the Indo-Pacific

The Governor attended the launch of the latest report outlining how Australia can optimise opportunities in India. The report was written by the Perth USAsia Centre’s Policy Fellow Sonia Arakkal, entitled “An investment-led strategy for building Australia-India economic relations”. Deputy Premier The Honourable Roger Cook MLA said the report was timely because of India’s vital importance to WA. The Minister used the opportunity to introduce WA’s new Trade and Investment Commissioner to India-Gulf, Ms Nashid Chowdhury. Ms Chowdhury elaborated to state that WA universities were the most popular among South Asian incoming students to Australia, bolstering person-to-person ties, along with the one million-strong Indian Australian diaspora.

India’s High Commissioner to Australia, His Excellency Mr Manpreet Vohra, said that Australia had ‘missed a trick’ by being slow to capitalise on opportunities in the sub-continent. He said WA was “uniquely placed” to partner with India and was their “perfect partner for collaboration”. A range of new partnerships incentive schemes were also announced in science, research and development, space technology, education, tourism and industries linked to WA’s critical minerals.

Lunch with the Japanese Ambassador

As the day of official duties continued, the Governor was invited to lunch with the Ambassador of Japan to Australia, His Excellency Shingo Yamagami and the Consulate General to Perth, Mr Toru Suzuki, at the Consulate’s official residence. Discussion focused on Western Australia’s deep and enduring relationship with Japan which, over decades has helped build the State’s economy. Discussion also included new green energy solutions including Japan’s target of procuring 300,000 tonnes of low emissions hydrogen annually by 2030. Mention was also made of Japan’s signing of a Reciprocal Access Agreement with Australia – only the second country to sign a defence treaty with Japan

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