The Association welcomed Ambassador Gary Quinlan, Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations, for a luncheon at The Harvard Club, on September 17, 2009.

 

Brad Haynes, Manager, International Government Affairs, at Chevron introduced the Ambassador.  Mr. Haynes worked together with the Ambassador in the past ten years on East Asia issues, China for the Foreign Minister.  Chevron announced their Final Investment Decision on the AUD$43 billion dollar Gorgon natural gas project that week.

 

Ambassador Quinlan’s remarks touched on the broader picture of where the world is going and Australia’s role in that future world, referring to global demographic changes and aging populations in Europe, and the prospect of India overtaking China in population by 2050. 

 

He also talked about Australia’s success in creating positive multi-lateral trade mechanisms and agreements with APEC and ASEAN, and reflected on the changing responsibilities for the G8/G20, and put forward Australia’s case for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, Australia is in competition with Finland and Luxemburg.

 

Notable guests included Noel Lateef, President, Foreign Policy Association, Patron, John Merow AO, Sullivan & Cromwell and Board Members: Anne Fulford, Meg McDonald, President, Alcoa Foundation; Jennifer Nason, Global Head of Technology, Media, Telecom Investment Banking at JPMorgan; and Bruce Richards, Managing Director, Head of Americas, National Australia Bank; Cathy Sych, Vice President, Corporate Sales, Qantas; and Susan Talbot, President, The Fremantle Corporation.

 

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