STATEMENT DELIVERED BY
SENATOR THE HONOURABLE DENNIS MOSES
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AND CARICOM AFFAIRS
ON THE OCCASION OF AUSTRALIA DAY, JANUARY 29, 2016
Good evening. It is my distinct pleasure to be with you this evening and, on behalf of Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley and the Government and People of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to extend to the Government and People of the Commonwealth of Australia, heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on Australia Day.
As we commemorate this occasion which highlights the rich history, the diverse society and the achievements of your nation and its people, it would be remiss of me not to convey our concern and sympathy for those affected by the devastating fire that ravaged the historic town of Yarloop in Western Australia earlier this month. The community spirit of Australians that stood out in the face of this disaster serves as a commendable example for us all to follow and, as we celebrate Australia Day, is yet another demonstration of the strength, resilience and perseverance of Australia and its people.
These are the very qualities which have paved the way for the country’s many successes throughout its history. Today, Australia is a rich melting pot of peoples, cultures and ideas; a distinguishing feature that has allowed your nation to capitalize on its resources for the benefit of its citizens and to extend a helping hand to neighbouring countries and others in the international community.
Your Excellency, the relationship between our two countries has been a fruitful one since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1969 that was further propelled by the opening of the Australian High Commission in Port of Spain in 2006. Our engagement is multifaceted, involving cooperation in a variety of areas including trade, security, sport, energy, education and technical assistance.
With regard to trade, a number of products are exported to Australia, including our world famous Angostura aromatic bitters while Trinidad and Tobago continues to appreciate meat products, cheese and wines, among others items from your country.
Investment in the energy sector has been noteworthy. Through the Australian firm BHP Billiton, over US$327 million has been invested in oil and natural gas exploration in Trinidad and Tobago.
Australia’s commitment to local capacity building has also been demonstrated by the provision of training programmes for diplomats and individuals pursuing higher-level tertiary education programmes. To this end, I note the number of scholarships for which Trinidad and Tobago nationals remain eligible, such as the Endeavour Award that was granted this year to one of our citizens.
Your Excellency, at this juncture, allow me to recognize the strides in our bilateral relationship under your stewardship as your tour of duty in Trinidad and Tobago, that commenced in 2013, comes to an end. In particular, I wish to highlight your efforts in promoting transport and road safety in our country. Since 2013, the High Commission has engaged with key stakeholders to share its technical expertise in this field. It should therefore not go unnoticed that progress has been made in reducing the annual road fatality rate since the inception of the initiative, reaching an 11-year low in 2015.
Cricket is a key area that links our countries – at the people-to-people level. Last year, Trinidad and Tobago and Australia engaged in friendly rivalry in anticipation of the ICC Cricket World Cup co-hosted in your country. I offer sincere congratulations to Australia on your victory but I am certain that our West Indies team will test Australia’s supremacy in a future iteration of the World Cup. The year 2015 also brought with it the Netball World Cup also held in your country, and you were gracious to host a reception for our local team prior to its departure to Sydney.
The Australian High Commission, under your leadership, also lent support to local advocacy groups, including the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago, the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Organization and the First Peoples Community.
Your efforts have not only been focused locally but across the region, given your accreditation to other CARICOM countries. In this regard, I must applaud Australia’s assistance to the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, as we seek to address the increasing impact of this environmental phenomenon.
For all your efforts, High Commissioner, I convey our appreciation. As you depart, I hope that in reflecting on the time spent in Trinidad and Tobago, you recall not only your professional achievements but also the warmth, passion and spirit of our twin-island nation.
May I now invite all of you to raise your glasses and join with me in offering a toast, on behalf of Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley and the Government and People of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to the Government and People of the Commonwealth of Australia on the occasion of Australia Day and to the enhancement of relations between our countries.
