A Sinn Féin delegation consisting of party chairperson Mitchel Mc Laughlin, Australian coordinator Dodie Mc Guinness and press officer, Dominic Doherty left Ireland on Friday last for a ten-day tour of the major Australian cities.
The delegation arrived in Melbourne on Sunday morning and has been fulfilling a full schedule of engagements since. Beginning with a well-attended press conference in the Rydges Hotel on Sunday, the group, including Friends of Sinn Féin Australian organiser, John Little, then attended a public function organised by Australian Aid For Ireland. Mitchel gave an extensive rundown on the progress of the peace process at home to an enthusiastic reception.
Monday began with a breakfast meeting with a group of parliamentarians and Labour leaders hosted by former deputy premier and policing minister in the State of Victoria, Pat Mc Namara, at Parliament Buildings. This was followed by a meeting with current state premier Steve Bracks, who displayed a well-informed knowledge of the situation in Ireland and pledged his continued support for the process. Among the subjects discussed was possible future Australian investment in Ireland, the ongoing debate for a new beginning to policing and the general politics of the peace process and how Australia could best assist.
The Melbourne leg of the journey finished with a lunch hosted by FOSF and local Labour arbitrary and Bellaghy, Co Derry native, Paddy Donnelly. Many influential business people and members of the legal profession attended.
Next stop was Sydney and a meeting with Irish ambassador Richard O'Brien, followed by a reception at the Sydney Bowling Club attended by members of the Sydney Irish community as well as members of various campaigning groups including representatives of the Aboriginal People.
It was then on to Brisbane and a meeting with the Lord Mayor, Jim Soorley. A longtime supporter of Ireland, the Lord Mayor made a number of positive suggestions as to how he could best be of assistance and promised to stay in touch to develop these ideas. The Lord Mayor's economic advisor, Bernard Green, also attended.
Mitchel was then guest of honour of the Irish Association of Brisbane, where he received a rousing welcome and a pledge of continuing support from the many influential people in attendance.
On Tuesday night, the delegation met with a group of Sydney businesspeople led by Kevin O'Doherty, formerly of Derry. Mitchel had an extensive discussion with former Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating where a range of topics was covered, including, policing. criminal justice, economic development and the development of the debate on the need for further constitutional change.
Meetings with the premierand environment minister of New South Wales followed. The Sydney leg of the journey ended with a visit to the 1798 Rebellion Monument at Waverly.
The delegation will travel on to Perth in Western Australia, where once more there is a full schedule of events and political and business meetings before returning home to Ireland at the weekend.
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