Asia believes Australia's new govt committed to Asia

Asia believes Australia's new govt committed to Asia

SYDNEY (AFP): Trade Minister Tim Fischer acknowledged
yesterday that former prime minister Paul Keating was well
regarded by Asian governments which he said now accepted
Australia's new coalition government was fully engaged in Asia.

Fischer, who is also deputy prime minister in the new
conservative administration, also promised not to create
difficulties for Keating as he seeks to find a new life after
politics -- in Asia.

Keating resigned from parliament last week, and is widely
expected to pursue a career as a consultant for Australian
businesses in Asia.

Fischer said he would facilitate and encourage Australians
working overseas, and that included Keating -- "as long as he
keeps committed to advancing the Australian interest."

"I'm not going to stand in the way in the sense of any
Australian seeking employment overseas," he added.

Fischer, just back from Singapore and the Philippines, said
leaders there viewed Keating "with a degree of respect, and that
relates to his APEC work, and I acknowledge that.

"But they accept the story moves on, and they accept the new
coalition government is fully engaged with Asia.

"They accept that Australia is fully engaged with Asia, it is
our top policy priority in terms of boosting our export effort."

Speaking during a television interview, Fischer said both
Keating and former Labor industry minister John Button, now the
government's special trade representative, were committed to
promoting Australia overseas.

"Whilst their formal positions of course have ended they are,
and certainly John Button is, very much committed to Australia's
image and building on that image in Indonesia and Vietnam and I'm
going to not stand in the way of that.

"There's a lot of money to be made by those in business, those
wanting to act as consultants.

However Fischer said some controversial comments by Keating
and former foreign minister Gareth Evans had hampered Australia's
negotiating position with Malaysia.

"It did not only impact on our negotiating position with
regard to Malaysia and defense equipment contracts and the like,
but also with Thailand," he said.