Getting strategic with ASPI and the Austrian Ambassador

With Western Australia‘s borders now open, the Governor has taken many calls with incoming representatives of Australia’s vital international partners in recent days. Following close upon the heels of visits by the United States, Japan and India, today Governor Beazley had a friendly and informative discussion with his Excellency Mr Wolfgang Strohmayer, Ambassador of Austria to Australia.

Governor Beazley shared insights about our State’s capabilities in critical minerals and invited the Austrian Government to consider how their technology and expertise may be applied to these precious assets for mutual economic benefit. During a wide-ranging conversation, the two men shared their mutual interests in orchestral music and Aboriginal history and culture, with the Governor recalling fondly a visit to Austria during his days as Australia’s Minister for Defence.

With Austria’s new Strategic Cooperation Agreement now in place, a new platform exists for collaboration in such fields as green energy, health, technology, transport and more.

Defending the north

Today Governor Beazley met via video link with Dr John Coyne, Head of Northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre and Head of Strategic Policing and Law at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

Dr Coyne discussed various important projects ASPI are working on in Northern WA and sought the Governor’s advice, particularly in relation to Western Australia’s defence capabilities. Western Australia is ideally placed to make a profound contribution given our position in the Indian Ocean region.

The Governor sits down for a Zoom call.

Established in 2001, the ASPI is a collection of experts who provide independent advice for global and Australian leaders – generating timely and pertinent information to policy makers so that they can make well-informed decisions. Respected across the globe, the organisation is recognised to have strong authority on strategy, technology, cyber and national security and foreign interference issues.

Dr Coyne is the Head of Northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre and the Head of Strategic Policing and Law Enforcement at APSI. Specialising in border security, strategic intelligence, transnational and serious organised crime, with a background in the Australian Federal Police.

 

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