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The rest of Australia might feel that WA is out of step without daylight saving.

But our time zone corresponds very significantly with about 60 per cent of the world's population, including nations that hold the greatest economic promise for the 21st century.

The University invited the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, into the ‘zone' last month for discussions with senior business leaders.

The roundtable discussion, held at St George's College, included Special Minister of State Gary Gray, Senator Chris Evans, UWA Chancellor and Chair NAB and Woodside Dr Michael Chaney, Director of the UWA Energy and Minerals Institute Tim Shanahan, UWA senator and former Australian Ambassador Dr Sue Boyd, Sam Walsh (Rio Tinto), Richard Goyder (Wesfarmers), Dr Dongyi Hua (Citic Pacific Mining), John Atkins (AN Z), Colin Beckett (Chevron) and Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Louden.

The discussions focused on WA 's position at the centre of a resource and minerals boom delivering growth that has seen a global economic power shift to the Asian and Indian Ocean region.

Dr Chaney chaired the discussions, part of the 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.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson believes the advent of the Asian Century and the shift in the balance of global power creates unprecedented opportunities for all Australians.

"Across business and the community, we are in a position to harness the benefits of sharing ideas, innovation, technology and research across a multi-dimensional cultural and commercial landscape. Taking advantage of these opportunities requires new forms of interaction with the world on our doorstep, across sovereign borders and cultural boundaries, and an appetite for partnering with and learning from this dynamic region of the world," Professor Johnson said.

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

Published in UWA News , 6 August 2012