In London last night, Britain and Australia launched a major “”New Images” campaign to change the stereotypical images the people of each nation have of each other.
New Images will be a series of about 150 cultural, business and sporting projects, mostly in Australia, in 1997, the 50th anniversary of the presence of the British Council in Australia. It will be the largest event of its kind ever mounted by Britain.
The British Foreign Secretary, Malcolm Rifkind, said at a function at Australia House, “”People do not understand the extent of the deep economic and cultural links between the two nations.”
In an oblique reference to the nuclear test issue he said that Australia and Britain had only occasional differences, but they had a more enduring and fundamental relationship of great importance in a world of change and shifting interests. It was a relationship built on common values of the rule of law and the parliamentary system.
The Australian High Commissioner to London, Dr Neal Blewett, acknowledged that many Australians had a stereotype of Britain as an old fashioned place of medieval castles, Beefeaters and villages greens. Yet Britain was engaged in one of the most forward looking political events of century with integration into Europe.
Mr Rifkind said Britain was as modern, optimistic and forward-looking as Australia. Not many Britons were aware that Australian investment in Britain was higher than that of Japan, France and Germany. And Britain was the second highest investor in Australia.
Not many Britons were aware that Australian investment in Britain was higher than that of Japan, France and Germany. And Britain was the second highest investor in Australia.
Dr Blewett acknowledged there was a healthy dose of commercial self-interest in the New Images campaign. Both he and Mr Riffkind said Britain was Australia’s gateway to Europe and Australia was Britain’s gateway to the Pacific and Asia.
The British Prime Minister, John Major, arrived unscheduled and without prior announcement at the launch. British Foreign Office sources said it was not an attempt at make-up to Australia after he had refused to join Australia in condemning France for nuclear testing. Rather, they said, it was a sign of a commitment to the more fundamental British-Australian relationship.
New Images has the formal support of Prime Minister Paul Keating. Organisers of New Images hope to raise between $4 million and $10 million from mainly British sponsors for the 150 projects.
These will include: joint film and theatre productions; literary exhibitions and cultural displays; commercial exhibitions; and possibly a Formula One racing event and a RAF display.