MEDIA RELEASE

COUNCIL ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT AND COMMITTEE

At the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council Annual General Meeting in Brisbane on 4 December, the Council elected John Ridgway, Partner of Pacific Legal Network, as President for the next year.  A curriculum vitae for Mr Ridgway is attached.

Mr Ridgway succeeds the inaugural President, Bob Lyon, Managing Director Pacific and Personal Banking Asia, ANZ Banking Group, who has been President since 2000.

Mr Ridgway paid tribute to the work done by Mr Lyon and the inaugural committee to establish the Council in its first three years of operation.

“Mr Lyon has been a tower of strength and support in the inaugural phase of the Council.  His extensive knowledge of the Pacific islands and his contacts throughout the region have been invaluable.  Council members have been indeed fortunate to have such a person as President of the Council.  I look forward to his continuing involvement in the work of the Council.”

Mr Ridgway said the Council would look in 2004 to build on the foundations laid during the first three years of operations.

Business missions are planned to the French Pacific territories and to Samoa and Tonga to help further develop business relationships between Australia and those economies.

Mr Ridgway acknowledged the recent formation of the New Caledonia Australia Business Council (CAANC) as a step forward in enhancing the growing business and economic relationship between Australia and New Caledonia.

“We look forward to working with the CAANC to expand opportunities for Australian business in New Caledonia.”

Mr Ridgway said Austrade is an important partner of the Council in its work to expand business ties in the region.

Ross Porter (AFA), Ian Felton (Unilever Australia Export) and Corinne Bot (Polyglot HR Resources) were elected Vice-presidents of the Council.

Mr Ridgway said Ms Bot will focus especially on the relationship with the French Pacific territories.

12 December 2004