Fed: Howard says London trip important for history and trade

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-1999
Fed: Howard says London trip important for history and trade

CANBERRA, Dec 5 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard today defended his decision to visit
London next July, within a week of the GST taking effect at home, saying he did not believe
it would prove politically costly.

Mr Howard will lead a delegation to England to commemorate 100 years since the British
Parliament passed an act to allow Australia to become an independent nation.

He has invited a range of politicians, former prime ministers, Opposition Leader Kim
Beazley, Australian Democrats leader Meg Lees and all state premiers and chief ministers.

Mr Howard said Mr Beazley had not yet accepted the invitation, but he did not think
the opposition leader would gain political advantage by staying in Australia to capitalise
on any problems when the GST takes effect.

"I'll be away for probably two weeks, perhaps a bit less, I don't know," Mr Howard
told the Nine Network.

"I don't think that will matter."

The trip was an important historic and trade mission, he said.

"One of the things I'll be doing in London ... will be promoting as part of an entire
Australian week, the economic and trade interests of this country.

"Remember that Britain is Australia's biggest foreign investor.

"The fact that it might take me out of the country for two weeks is not going to make
any real difference."

Mr Howard said even though the delegation did not include any indigenous representatives
this was not intended as a slight to Aboriginal people.

"I've invited elected political leaders," he said.

"I normally operate on the principle that you invite people who are elected by all
of the Australian people.

"Aborigines participate in votes and there was of course, an Aboriginal delegation
in London only a few weeks ago and was afforded every courtesy.

"And they went as representatives of the Aboriginal people. There's been no slight to them."

AAP daw/bdm/br

KEYWORD: HOWARD TRIP (CARRIED EARLIER)

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