Asia believes Australia's new govt committed to Asia<\/p>\n
SYDNEY (AFP): Trade Minister Tim Fischer acknowledged
\nyesterday that former prime minister Paul Keating was well
\nregarded by Asian governments which he said now accepted
\nAustralia's new coalition government was fully engaged in Asia.<\/p>\n
Fischer, who is also deputy prime minister in the new
\nconservative administration, also promised not to create
\ndifficulties for Keating as he seeks to find a new life after
\npolitics -- in Asia.<\/p>\n
Keating resigned from parliament last week, and is widely
\nexpected to pursue a career as a consultant for Australian
\nbusinesses in Asia.<\/p>\n
Fischer said he would facilitate and encourage Australians
\nworking overseas, and that included Keating -- \"as long as he
\nkeeps committed to advancing the Australian interest.\"<\/p>\n
\"I'm not going to stand in the way in the sense of any
\nAustralian seeking employment overseas,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Fischer, just back from Singapore and the Philippines, said
\nleaders there viewed Keating \"with a degree of respect, and that
\nrelates to his APEC work, and I acknowledge that.<\/p>\n
\"But they accept the story moves on, and they accept the new
\ncoalition government is fully engaged with Asia.<\/p>\n
\"They accept that Australia is fully engaged with Asia, it is
\nour top policy priority in terms of boosting our export effort.\"<\/p>\n
Speaking during a television interview, Fischer said both
\nKeating and former Labor industry minister John Button, now the
\ngovernment's special trade representative, were committed to
\npromoting Australia overseas.<\/p>\n
\"Whilst their formal positions of course have ended they are,
\nand certainly John Button is, very much committed to Australia's
\nimage and building on that image in Indonesia and Vietnam and I'm
\ngoing to not stand in the way of that.<\/p>\n
\"There's a lot of money to be made by those in business, those
\nwanting to act as consultants.<\/p>\n
However Fischer said some controversial comments by Keating
\nand former foreign minister Gareth Evans had hampered Australia's
\nnegotiating position with Malaysia.<\/p>\n
\"It did not only impact on our negotiating position with
\nregard to Malaysia and defense equipment contracts and the like,
\nbut also with Thailand,\" he said.<\/p>",
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