Downer stresses Australia's links with East Asia
Downer stresses Australia's links with East Asia
SYDNEY (AFP): Australia's new Foreign Minister, Alexander
Downer, vowed yesterday to reassure East Asian countries about
his government's commitment to the region, accusing the former
government of creating false impressions overseas.
Downer, a former opposition leader, and Vietnam War veteran
Tim Fischer, who becomes trade minister, were named by Prime
Minister-elect John Howard yesterday as the men who will present
a new conservative face of Australia overseas.
The two have also been handed responsibility for allaying the
concern now evident in Asia about the election of a government
which, it is feared, may have less commitment to the region than
its predecessor.
Reflecting this, Thailand's English language daily, The
Nation, said Monday that after a "golden era" of Australian
diplomacy in Asia it was now likely to see "the hapless Alexander
Downer" take over as foreign minister.
Of the 24 men and four women who will form Australia's first
conservative ministry for 13 years, Howard is one of two with
government experience. The other is John Moore, 59, who becomes
Industry, Science and Tourism minister.
Both served in the latter years of Malcolm Fraser's Liberal-
National party government, Howard as Treasurer and Moore in
Business and Consumer Affairs.
Of the 28 ministers, 12 have backgrounds in law, including
Howard and his Treasurer-elect Peter Costello and there is a
sprinkling of farmers, doctors, diplomats, stockbrokers, company
directors and small business people.
Downer, 44, is a former diplomat who held the leadership for
only eight months before he was forced to relinquish it 14 months
ago amid a poll slump following a succession of gaffes.
He handed power to Howard, who went on to a momentous and
crushing victory over Prime Minister Paul Keating's Labor
government at the weekend.
However, Downer has had more luck as shadow foreign minister,
playing a key role in forcing the government to adopt a tougher
stance against French nuclear testing in the Pacific.
Downer said his priority would be to reassure East Asian
nations of the government's commitment to the region, conceding
there had been damage to Australia's image but blaming comments
by the ousted Labor government.
Downer said he would work "to reverse any damage to
Australia's image created by the Labor Party's persistent and
malicious misrepresentations about the coalition's approach to
working with our regional partners."
Fischer also becomes Deputy Prime Minister by virtue of his
leadership of the rural-based National Party which is junior
partner in coalition with the Liberal Party which is led by
Howard.
The 49-year-old Fisher, a former army officer who served 12
months in Vietnam, was described on Kerry Packer's Channel Nine
Sunday program last month as "the Forrest Gump of Australian
politics".
Fischer, who has a tendency to speak in cliches, was the
target during the campaign of repeated personal attack by
Keating, who questioned his competence and his ability to act as
Deputy Prime Minister.
Costello, who at 38 is one of the youngest ministers, becomes
the new Treasurer, as expected. He made his name a right-wing
lawyer fighting militant trade unionism in industrial court cases
before entering politics.
Another lawyer, Peter Reith, 45, was given the key industrial
relations portfolio which is already emerging as the major area
of reform.
It is also shaping as the government's first big battleground
as militant unions embark on a campaign for big pay rises
following the scrapping of Australia's unique Accord wage system
under which unions sought moderate wage claims in return for non-
wage benefits such as reduced taxation.
The most senior woman is Amanda Vanstone, who distinguished
herself in the shadow portfolio of attorney general, but who was
given Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs ministry,
another key area following Howard's commitment to reducing youth
unemployment.
Wit -- Page 5
Threat -- Page 11