At the end of March, the German-Australian Chamber organised its first-ever Canberra Delegation. The Delegation provided a valuable forum to raise issues of importance to the German-Australian business community with key stakeholders in Canberra, particularly Ministers, Shadow Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senators and key Department representatives.
As part of the delegation program, there was a German-Australian Industry Breakfast at Parliament House. High profile speakers included Chamber Patron Ambassador H.E. Dr Anna Prinz, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, Board Chairman Ron Koehler, outgoing Executive Director Kristian Wolf and German Member of Parliament Carsten Müller.
In discussions with Ministers and Shadow Ministers, delegation participants were able to discuss key issues affecting German companies in Australia such as immigration, skills and education, the upcoming Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement, Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill and energy policy, as well as raise issues that affect their businesses directly with Ministers.
The German-Australian Chamber is planning to offer members more valuable opportunities like these to discuss policy topics, such as at the upcoming APRC Business Summit in Melbourne on 21 September 2018.
See the full AHK update by Dr Michael Zettnig, The Director of Policy, on the German-Australian Chamber’s website.
Accru Felsers Partner Steven Zabeti is a member of their Policy Advisory Committee and was part of the Canberra delegation (pictured fourth from right). Accru Felsers is currently the honorary auditor of the German-Australian Chamber.