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Monday, 16 July 2012

Prime Minister Julia Gillard joined senior business leaders at The University of Western Australia today to discuss Western Australia's position at the epicenter of a resource and minerals boom delivering growth that has seen a global economic power shift to the Asian and Indian Ocean regions.

The round-table discussion focusing on the ‘Asian Century' was hosted by UWA's Chancellor and Chair of NAB and Woodside, Dr Michael Chaney, and organised by the University's ‘In the Zone' conference series.

"There is a much bigger role for Western Australia as we acknowledge the importance of aligning our thinking with the prominence of the Asian and the Indian Ocean regions, and seek to optimise our relevance and influence within the zone's political landscape," Dr Chaney said.

The ‘In the Zone' series is aimed at highlighting Western Australia's strategic geopolitical position in a time zone (give or take a couple of hours) which is home to 60 per cent of the world's population and the nations holding the greatest economic promise of the 21st century.

Participants in today's discussion included the Prime Minister, Hon. Julia Gillard;  Special Minister of State, Hon. Gary Gray;  Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator the Hon. Chris Evans;  UWA Chancellor and Chair NAB and Woodside, Dr Michael Chaney;  UWA Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Louden;  Director of the UWA Energy and Minerals Institute, Tim Shanahan;  UWA Senate Member, and former Australian Ambassador Dr Sue Boyd;  Executive Director and Chief Executive, Rio Tinto Iron Ore and Australia, Sam Walsh;  Managing Director of Wesfarmers, Richard Goyder;  Executive Chairman Citic Pacific Mining, Dr Dongyi Hua;  ANZ State Chairman, John Atkins;  and General Manager, Chevron Australia's Greater Gorgon Area, Colin Beckett.

Later this year (26-27 November), the In the Zone Conference will cover issues ranging from economic growth to foreign capital management, infrastructure development, leadership and resources security, providing participants with an opportunity to hear from a wide range of high-level international commentators.

For more information and registration, visit In the Zone 2012 Conference .

Media references

Shaheen Hughes (Director In the Zone )  (+61 4) 18 753 383
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783

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