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German Update From Down Under webinar, October 2021

On Thursday, 28 October 2021 the German Australian Business Council hosted the webinar German Update From Down Under, providing an update on current business topics between Germany and Australia. Our distinguished guest speakers were Dr Thomas Fitschen, German Ambassador to Australia; Cornelis Keijzer, Head of Trade, Economics, Research and Innovation Delegation of the EU to Australia; and Christoph von Speßhardt, Executive Director of the German Chamber of Commerce in Australia.

In their presentations, all three provided an insight into topics such as the German-Australian hydrogen alliance, the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between Germany and Australia, and the current state of the Free-Trade-Agreement between Australian and the EU.

The webinar attracting close to 50 registrations mainly from Germany, Australia and the UK, and was moderated by Sabine Pittrof, chair of the German Australian Business Council. During the Q&A session, participants had the opportunity to ask questions directly to the speakers.

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Australian companies supercharging growth in Europe webinar, November 2021

On Tuesday, 09 Nov 2021 the German Australian Business Council and our corporate member DGWA hosted a webinar on „Australian Companies Supercharging Growth in Europe“.

 

Moderated by Council Board Chair Sabine Pittrof and Deputy Chair – Munich Elisabeth Opie, the webinar featured speakers Michael Schmidt, Economic Geologist, German Mineral Resources Agency, Keith Coughlan, Executive Chairman, European Metals Holdings, Trevor Matthews, Managing Director, Volt Resources and Jeremy McManus, General Manager – Commercial and Investor Relations, Neometals Ltd.

 

Participants were given an overview of the minerals (lithium, graphite) and EV markets, the companies’ investment and activities across Europe as well as a snapshot of the overall strategies that have placed them at the forefront of the Electric Vehicle and Gigafactory revolution across Europe.

 

We would like to thank our corporate member DGWA in supporting the event, all speakers for their valuable time and insight, and all participants for joining us.

 

The recording is available on request by emailing office@gabc.eu.

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ABIE Network contributes border control submission to Australian leaders

The ABIE network, also on behalf of the German Australian Business Council, contributed a submission regarding the ‘Australian National and State Border Controls related to COVID 19 and the Way Forward’. The submission was sent to the following:

  • Prime Minister and Opposition Leader of Australia
  • Foreign Minister and Shadow Foreign Minister of Australia
  • Australian Department of Home Affairs
  • Trade Minister and Shadow Trade Minister
  • Premiers of States and Chief Ministers of Territories, plus Opposition Leaders

To read the submission, please click on the following link: ABIE Australia Border Control Submission – November 2021 – GERMAN AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL (gabc.eu)

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Länderbericht #1, 2021

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Australien und Pazifik

Die gemeinsame Erklärung Australiens, der Vereinigten Staaten und Großbritanniens zur gemeinsamen Einrichtung des AUKUS-Sicherheitsabkommens sorgte Mitte September 2021 sowohl in den Medien als auch in der internationalen Politik für starkes Aufsehen. Nicht zuletzt aufgrund der damit verbundenen Kündigung des 2016 verabschiedeten australisch-französischen U-Boot-Abkommens zum vertraglich spätest möglichen Zeitpunkt. Australiens Beweggründe für den AUKUS-Beitritt und die Inkaufnahme einer potentiellen Verärgerung Frankreichs lassen sich mit einem Blick auf Australiens jüngste außen- und sicherheitspolitische Interessen erklären.

(Stand 29. Oktober 2021).

Wir hoffen, der Bericht über “Australien, AUKUS und die Auswirkungen der Kündigung des australisch-französischen U-Boot Projektes” findet Ihr Interesse!

Online lesen: a801c660-606a-e136-eda9-56c7ce2825c5 (kas.de)

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European Perspectives on the proposed Free Trade Agreement between Australia & the EU

Following the successful first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) event in Brussels with Australian negotiators in 2019, the Australian Business in Europe (ABIE) group were delighted to host the second FTA discussion via webinar with a focus on the European perspective.

Our guest speakers, H.E Michael Pulch, EU Ambassador to Australia and Mr Peter Berz, EU Chief Negotiator were introduced by the chair of the session, Rebecca Steffen, from the Australian Swiss Chamber of Commerce and current co Chair of ABIE. Attracting close to 200 registrations from all over Europe and Australia, the event was expertly moderated by Jennifer Tucker, Chair of ABIE Netherlands and Jason Collins, CEO of European Australian Business Council.

Ambassador Pulch began the webinar outlining their commitment to enhance negotiations to allow expansion and cooperation in many areas including political, security, education, science and technology that will attract new markets, such as SME’s, and within the transport and space industries. Whilst not on the FTA discussions, Ambassador Pulch also added that recent bilateral agreements on taxation agreements and a physical presence of trade offices by Australian states in various European locations further highlights the commitment to reinforce stronger economic relationship across the board.

Mr Berz provided an overview of the current negotiations, the EU-AU FTA’s last round taking place in June (the next scheduled for November) which included discussions on professional services, small & medium size enterprises, sustainability and climate change in trade agreements. Equally important, Mr Berz noted what the FTA negotiations is not about, ie immigration, visas, pensions and health care; as well as an outline on the finalisation process, involving legal reviews, lobbying and additional guidance from member states.

The webinar provided an opportunity for the audience to ask questions directly to the speakers, some of which included the timing and process of negotiations, agriculture, the GDPR and Australian privacy legislation, climate and sustainability.

Special thanks to the German Australian Business Council for their support and contribution towards a successful event – please contact the GABC at info@gabc.eu for a recording of the webinar.

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Next Generation event in co-operation with the Frankfurt Football Club

On Thursday, 02 September 2021 the German Australian Business Council in co-operation with the Frankfurt Football Club held an event for young professionals at „Gang & Gäbe“ in Frankfurt. The event introduced the „next generation“ of young professionals to the German Australian Business Council and the opportunities of the business network. On this beautiful late summer evening, members and friends of the German Australian Business Council as well as members of the Frankfurt Football Club enjoyed the first of many to come Next Generation events. The Frankfurt Football Club as partner of the event looks back on a tradition of over 25-years of Australian Rules Football in Germany.

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PERISCOPE – Occasional Analysis Paper: The Era of Hydrogen Economies

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Australia & the Pacific

Publication

KAS Australia is pleased to present its latest Periscope edition entitled “The Era of Hydrogen Economies: Shared Interests by Australia, Germany and Japan”.

Published in support of the first virtual seminar of the 2021 KAS-EUCERS Energy Trialogue between Australia, Germany and Japan, the publication features analyses by Associate Professor Llewelyn Hughes, Professor Frank Jotzo and Dr Thomas Longden from the Centre for Climate and Energy Policy (CCEP) at the Australian National University, Professor Friedbert Pflueger from the European Cluster for Climate, Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at the University of Bonn/Germany and Professor Masakazu Sugiyama from the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) at the University of Tokyo/Japan.

To read online or download: Volume 6 / 2021 • Periscope (periscopekasaustralia.com.au)

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Sommerfest der Berliner Wirtschaftsverbände 2021, Berlin, September 2021

For the first time since 2019 the Berliner Wirtschaftsverbände were able to host a Sommerfest again – and what a spectacular relaunch it was! At a new city centre location and under strict 3-G rules a myriad of partner organisations participated. The weather held up and there was a very strong turnout, including more than 20 GABC RSVPs from across north east Germany. It ensured many opportunities to mingle in a relaxed atmosphere and network with peers, including those from the local Berlin region, Germany and also with members from other international associations (including organisation representing the UK, China, Thailand, the Netherlands, etc). The now traditional tombola this year supported Handicap International and offered over 100 prizes – alas this year without any Australian wines on offer – for that you will have to come back next year.

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Job vacancies: Austrade – Investment Managers, Berlin & Frankfurt

Austrade is looking for two new Investment Team members, for Berlin or Frankfurt, and we have advertised the roles today. Austrade – Investment Manager, Berlin & Frankfurt

Investment Manager (Frankfurt or Berlin)

The Australian Trade & Investment Commission – Austrade – is Australia’s leading trade and investment agency. We help attract game-changing investment to Australia, to support new industries, enhance existing ones, bolster our world-class research & development and strengthen global supply chains, creating jobs and boosting the Australian economy.

We are seeking two Investment Managers to join our Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) attraction team located either at the Australian Embassy in Berlin or Australian Consulate-General in Frankfurt.

An Investment Manager’s key mission is to win FDI to Australia through creating awareness of Australia’s attractiveness as an investment destination, generating leads and projects with target companies and supporting companies to realise their investments in Australia. These positions offer an exciting opportunity for motivated, client-focussed professionals with business development experience. The roles will cover the German, Austrian and Swiss (DACH) markets. To achieve this, the positions require team players with a ‘hands-on’ proactive, creative, flexible and energetic approach to work.

  • Minimum Bachelor Level relevant tertiary qualification (for example but not limited to International Business/Economics/Marketing or Industry-related disciplines).
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in an investment attraction, business development, business consulting or a similar role.
  • Work Authorisation – to be eligible for employment with Austrade in Germany, candidates must be legally authorised to live and work in Germany at the time of appointment.
  • Language – the successful candidate must be a highly motivated team member, fluent in written and spoken English. Fluency in written and spoken German is highly desired.

More detailed information on the role, eligibility and selection process is available online: Austrade – Investment Manager, Berlin & Frankfurt Applications close Sunday 3 October

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ABIE Network contributes tax residence submission to the ATO

On behalf of the ABIE Network, ABIE Netherlands recently contributed a submission in relation to the changes proposed in the May Federal Budget to the tax rules for Australian expats relating to residency.

 

To read the submission, please click on the following link: ABIE Tax Residence Submission to ATO – August 2021