Mr Bruce Atkinson – the president of the Victorian Parliament’s Upper House – has rejected media criticism of a parliamentary delegation’s trip to Greece earlier this month, saying the visit helps pave the way for greater trade links between Victoria and Greece.
Along with Legislative Assembly speaker Ken Smith and a cross-party group of MPs, Mr Atkinson attended the opening of the annual International Trade Fair in
Thessaloniki.
During the 10-day trip, the Herald Sun newspaper ran a story under the shrill headline ‘Big Greek farce’ – calling the visit a waste of taxpayers’ money.
“The Herald Sun would criticise an MP if they took a bus trip to Brunswick,” Mr Atkinson told Neos Kosmos this week, adding that elements of the media had “no real understanding of the importance of political connections.”
The Upper House president said the journey had given the delegation “a better appreciation of just how Greece has been dealing with the constraints that have been placed on it by the Troika, but also how they’ve been putting in place opportunities to go forward.”
The visit was warmly encouraged by HACCI Victoria and the Hellenic Australian Business Council in Athens who are spearheading efforts to enhance levels of trade and investment between Australia and Greece.
“Whilst trade and investment opportunities are pursued through ministries, it’s important to have that framework where Parliament – representing all parties – is having that connection, said Mr Atkinson.
“It indicates to other countries that if there is a change of government that there is an enthusiasm to pursue those trade and investment opportunities.”
Mr Atkinson said the trip, which included a meeting with Greek prime minister Antonis Samaras, deepened the MPs’ awareness of Greece’s economic problem and opportunities to help its recovery.
“It was a great privilege for us to meet with Mr Samaras and for us to express our admiration of the work he was doing. What has been achieved already is quite remarkable,” said the Victorian Liberal MP.
“Greece can’t continue to simply rely on austerity measures and cutting back the public service to meet the debt funding requirements. It really does need to develop trade and investment,” he added.
“Opportunities are there at the moment not just for trade and investment between Australia and Greece, but using both countries as gateways to other markets. In the case of Greece – the Balkans and eastern Europe and in the case of Australia – the asia pacific region.
“A delegation like this is important in terms of establishing a framework in which the respective governments can establish formal programs, and highlight to business the opportunities that exist.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s Ambassador to Greece Ms Jenny Bloomfield who met the Victorian delegation told Neos Kosmos that the visit was timely and important.
Such delegations “reinforce the enduring friendship between our two countries and our two peoples,” said Ms Bloomfield.
“[They] help enhance mutual understanding and identify areas for future cooperation, providing important opportunities for constructive exchange across our bilateral agenda”.
Ms Bloomfield said that as Greece prepares to take over the EU Presidency in January 2014 it was more important than ever to grasp opportunities to raise Australia’s profile in Europe.
“Visits between the cities by community and political leaders are an important way for key decision makers to identify future areas of cooperation.”
2014 will mark the 30th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Melbourne and Thessaloniki.
“As Thessaloniki prepares to be the European Youth Capital for 2014, for example, a dialogue between political leaders is an appropriate way to explore opportunities [and] learn from each other’s experiences,” said the Ambassador.