Top foreign diplomats to visit Bundaberg

Bundaberg will receive a visit from not one, but two of Australia’s top foreign diplomats as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Global Heads of Mission meeting.

Ambassador to the Netherlands, the Hon Dr Brett Mason and Consul-General in Phuket Craig Ferguson – who grew up in Bundaberg – will meet with local businesses, schools and organisations on Thursday March 30.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt – who is in Canberra for the Parliamentary sitting week – said the opportunity to have two diplomats in the region was a real coup.

“Many people only come into contact with Australian diplomats if they run into trouble while they are overseas, but they play a very important role in explaining how the work they do overseas delivers benefits to all Australians,” Mr Pitt said.

The Ambassador and Consul-General will be speaking about the role of international relations, free trade and most importantly, they will be seeking feedback on how the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can better serve the community.

Mr Pitt spoke to the Heads of Mission meeting today in Canberra ahead of the visits to regional and rural Australia reflecting on the feedback he has received from communities and business throughout Australia as he’s delivered Free Trade Agreement seminars.

Ambassador Mason, who is a former Queensland senator, will visit Shalom College to speak to students, including those from other local high schools, about business and international trade.

He will also meet with the Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce as well as Bundaberg Regional Council and will visit CQUniversity.

Consul-General Ferguson will visit local macadamia and avocado growers, local business AustChilli, as well as his former primary school – Thabeban State School.