Speech

Address by: Peter O'Byrne, Austrade CEO
Event: Australian Export Awards 2006 Gala Dinner
Location: Sofitel Melbourne
Date: 30 November 2006

(Check against delivery)

Thank you Michael (Pascoe)

• Australia’s Minister for Trade, the Hon. Warren Truss MP 
• Minister, Theo Theophanous MP, representing the Premier of Victoria
• Australian & State Government Ministers and Parliamentarians
• Peter O’Brien, President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, our partner in these Awards
• Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2006 Australian Export Awards. 

For over forty years, the Australian Export Awards have recognised the endeavours and international business success of hundreds of Australian companies on the world stage. 

Austrade is proud to co-present these Awards, with our partner the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our leading exporters and to underscore the vital role exports play in growing Australia’s economy.

We acknowledge the work of our allies in the States and Territories who run their own Export Awards. All the finalists companies represented here tonight have achieved the major milestone of being Export Award winners in their respective States or Territories.

The Export Awards program is much more than this single event. Tonight is a culmination of a year long journey.  With events held across every State and Territory, including Top Exporter Luncheons, networking events and a finalists’ breakfast in Parliament House.

These events are some of the many ways that the Australian Export Awards are building awareness of the benefits of trade and providing inspiration for businesses to pursue international opportunities.

The Australian Government is also working to grow the next generation of Australian exporters.

As part of Austrade’s education program for students in schools and universities, we run annual Export Plan Competitions. These competitions invite students to choose a local business and prepare an export plan. 

This year’s winning tertiary entry was prepared by a team from RMIT, here in Melbourne. 

The team explored the potential for exporting wines to China from Victorian company, Sword Select Wines. 

The RMIT team are here with us tonight, along with the Managing Director of Swords Select. Please join me in acknowledging their work.

This year we have seen a record number of companies entering the Export Awards. 

While established exporters continue to be well represented, we are increasingly seeing strong entries from a wide range of new enterprises, service providers and small to medium companies. 

At your table settings, you will find a booklet with information on this year’s Awards finalists.

This booklet provides a vivid snap-shot of the breadth and diversity of Australia’s exporting community.

It includes companies that are:

• manufacturing precision tools and automotive components,
• developing leading-edge medical technology,
• providing, skills and education to students – both here and abroad,
• feeding consumers – hungry for clean, high-quality foods
• supplying the globe’s growing demand for energy and resources,
• helping to create the visual wizardry of today’s blockbuster films.

Looking through this booklet I’m sure you’ll agree that the finalists represent leading examples of the business talent that is taking Australian products and services to the world. 

These companies are succeeding through imagination, innovation, and determination.

They serve as role models for future generations of Australian exporters.

Selecting winners from such a talented field was no easy task and I thank the judging panels who gave generously of their time and accepted the challenge!

I particularly thank our sponsors – who are working in exporting as part of their daily business. Your support is a key factor in encouraging excellence, and recognising the contribution our exporters make. 

Tonight, we award Australia’s leading export talent. Tonight, we celebrate the export heroes who are building the future of our community. 

Thank you