Rudd talks up CHOGM 2011

 By Sarah Pendal     1 April 2011

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd was in Perth yesterday to discuss this year’s upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

October will see 50 heads of Government, 4 000 members of various international businesses and delegations along with masses of media head to Australia’s west coast.

Mr Rudd spoke to members and guests of the Australian Institute of International Affairs at Burswood calling Perth Australia’s “economic powerhouse”.

High importance was placed upon what he wanted to get out of CHOGM.

“Our interests are to maintain national security. To enhance our national economic growth,” he said.

“Our global interests mean Australia needs to be active in all regions of the world through what I call creative, middle power diplomacy.”

Mr Rudd briefly discussed the Commonwealth-Australian relationship saying that “the Commonwealth of course has a wider relevance to Australian national interests as well”.

With countries in all six continents the Commonwealth boasts a number of powerful facts.

The Commonwealth is home to one third of the world’s population, more than a quarter of the United Nations member countries and five members of the G20.

“Some criticise the Commonwealth as being an outdated remnant of a distant colonial past,” Mr Rudd said.

He says however, they were outdated views.

An event such as CHOGM is seen positively for Perth, displaying the city in an international setting.

Andrew Pickford, member of Australia Day Council WA, said that it is beneficial for Australia being a part of the Commonwealth.

“Benefits (include) linking with other English speaking countries.”

He also said that it helps Australia survive economic and political crisis.

Mr Pickford said majority of Perth citizens will not experience CHOGM first hand but through what is on display- the side events and program showcasing Perth.

Martin Drum, Politics and International Relations Lecturer at University of Notre Dame Australia, said CHOGM will allow for Western Australia to be “put on the map”.

Dr Drum said that Australia does gain from being a part of the Commonwealth.

“We tap into a broader community that is the Commonwealth. Our heritage is derived from the UK system and we have that strong connection to some degree.”

Dr Drum mentioned the changing ties between Australia and Britain.

 "Eventually I think Australia will become a republic,” he said.

But neither Mr Pickford nor Dr Drum see the republican debate resurfacing anytime soon.

They see lighter topics, such as the Royal Wedding, being discussed by the media.

Public information sessions about CHOGM will be held at Perth Convention Centre in the coming months.