Northern Territory govt wants Hong Kong business

Press, 19 July 1989, Page 8

Northern Territory govt wants Hong Kong business

NZPA Sydney The government of Australia’s Northern Territory yesterday dismissed proposals to establish a new Hong Kong on its coast, but nevertheless wants a big business influx from the British colony. The “South China Morning Post" reported at the week-end that a Hong Kong business group suggested Hong Kong should ask to lease land on the coast near Darwin and build a new Hong Kong there. But the Northern Territory’s acting Chief Minister, Barry. Coulter, said yesterday any proposal to lease dr sell part of to put it under foreign government, control

“would not be on.” “However, the Northern Territory is keen to talk to these people about a more manageable scheme, with sustainable relocation of Hong Kong industry, sustainable business migration and .sustainable immigration," he said: .The “South China Morning Post” said one Hong Kong group, set up by a former Hong Kong executive councillor, was examining the feasibility of starting an investment fund to be made available to any country allowing residential rights to Hong Kong people. It was intended to/Invite the British Government to take on the

scheme. But if Britain refused, then the New Zealand, Australian and Canadian Governments might be approached, the paper said. In Darwin, the Northern Territory government would look at expanding the Darwin Trade Development Zone to take: in more Hong Kong businesses, Mr Coulter said. J. . The zone, which has been Working for three years, is exempt from some taxes and allows goods to be imported duty-free for manufacture within the zone. Two of the seven factories established' there..so far are run by Hong manufacturers employing about 600

people. The zone project’s chairman, Ray McHendiy, is in Hong Kong, with instructions to talk to business groups about moving to Darwin. The territory government will also conduct an “Expo" in Hong Kong in October to display investment and lifestyle opportunities. “Part of the Expo will be a recruitment drive for professional people. We always are short of teachers, doctors and nurses,” Mr Coulter said..--., < - t -. ' / .' “We’re not talking about taking three million people and plotting them over here.

“But Darwin and the Northern Territory doesn’t have any problem with Asian immigration. About 10 per cent of our populaton is of Chinese origin and Darwin’s lord mayor is Chinese?’ The Northern Territory’s sparse population of about 160,000, similar tropical climate and British Commonwealth links have been cited as attractions for Hong Kong migration and investment ; When Hong Kong is handed back, to China in 1997, the British Government has already indicated that the colony’s 3.5 million British passport-holders will not have resi-

dential rights in Britain. Since the Adam Smith Institute in London suggested that an island should be bought to re-establish the colony elsewhere, suggestions have ranged from the Falklands, some Scottish isles, the Caribbean, to islands off northern Australia. A spokesman for Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Gareth Evans, said no proposal had been put to the Federal Government to establish a new Hong Kong within Australia or on one of its northern islands. ... . ’ 5f He declined further comment on the concept.