Hamer 장학금 수여식 연설 2013.12.17
The Hon. Louise Asher, Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business,
Hamer Scholarship recipients,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Let me begin by congratulating the Hamer Scholarship recipients here today. I would like to thank the Hon. Louise Asher and her Department for initiating and implementing the meaningful
scholarship program and also organizing today’s award ceremony.
Recognizing the growing importance of engagement with Asia, the Federal Government recently launched the New Colombo Plan. The Victorian government has also taken various measures to strengthen its ties with Asia, and that Hamer Scholarships have been already up and running even before the New Colombo Plan shows that Victoria is at the forefront of facilitating that important relationship.
It is also a very welcome development that the Hamer Scholarships are expanded to Korea, Japan and Indonesia this year. I expect that the successful recipients will become leaders in developing the Australia- Asia relationship with their Asian language and cultural skills as well as their business networks in Asia.
Korea is Australia’s third largest export market and fourth-largest trading partner. With the Korea-Australia FTA negotiations recently
concluded, our two countries will have reciprocal benefits from increased bilateral trade given our complementary industrial structure.
And more than any other state in Australia, Victoria is well-
positioned to benefit from the free trade deal, as it is the centre of Australian beef, agricultural, automobile, and service industries. In this context, it is very meaningful and timely that the Victorian
government has decided to nurture Korea specialists with its Hamer Scholarships, and it is a thrill to have the first round Hamer recipients for Korean language study today. I look forward to even stronger relationship between Korea and Australia in the future.
I once again thank the Minister and everyone involved in implementing this important program. The Korean Consulate-
General will closely cooperate to ensure the success of the program and also the recipients’ enjoyable and memorable stay in Korea. Congratulations to you all. I wish you all the best, a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Thank you.
