AUSTRALIA DAY

Early day motion 1391, tabled 17 January 2006 by Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Conservative). Signed by 51 members.

That this House notes that 26th January is Australia's national day, commemorating the anniversary of the unfurling of the British flag at Sydney Cove in 1788 by Captain Arthur Phillip; recognises the close personal connections between the United Kingdom and Australia with over a million UK born people now residing in Australia and over 750,000 Australians visiting the United Kingdom every year; records the strong bilateral investment and business ties as Australia continues to be recognised as one of the world's leading growth economies, with GDP growth averaging 3.8 per cent. per year over the last decade; further notes that the United Kingdom is Australia's top EU trading partner and her second largest foreign investor; recalls the strong historical bonds reinforced through sport, the media and the arts; and urges the UK Government to continue to maintain and reinforce the close cultural and economic links between two great countries.

Signatures by party: Conservative 22, Labour 21, DUP 5, Liberal Democrat 3.