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On 8 March 2022, co-inciding with International Women’s Day, the International English Library held an online panel discussion #Break The Bias. Dr. Sabine Pittrof, Chair of the German Australian Business Council participated as a panelist in the discussion around gender inequality.
Please find here a link to the International English Library website: https://www.international-library.de/home
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After a long time without in-person events due to the pandemic, the German Australian Business Council is really pleased to have hosted a Corporate Round Table and Dinner in Munich with H.E. Philip Green OAM, Ambassador to Germany. Thought leaders in business, innovation and politics had the opportunity to discuss topics of mutual interest and future common activities – making this quite a special event. Our guests enjoyed the Fitzroy Restaurant at the new hotel in Munich of our Corporate Member Adina, which provides a fantastic panorama view across the city (including sheep on a rooftop which the hotel overlooks!) This dinner is the starting point for further events in 2022 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Business Council as well as 70 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Germany. Our special thanks to the Ambassador for taking the time and to our Board members Elisabeth Opie and Rob Harrison for sponsoring the event.
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We had such a lovely time connecting with members and meeting new friends at our Christmas get-together. Thank you to Robert Harrison for being such an excellent host and everyone for the positive vibes! 🍾🥂🎊
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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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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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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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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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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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On Thursday, 17th of June 2021, the German Australian Business Council hosted its first in-person event for 2021 in honour of Ambassador H.E. Philip Green, AO, Ambassador to Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. After a long period of COVID-19 restrictions, the dinner event at the Main Nizza restaurant on the banks of the Main River in Frankfurt was long anticipated by members and guests alike.
H.E. Philip Green used the opportunity to speak about the new bilateral Enhanced Strategic Partnership between Australia and Germany, signed by Foreign Ministers Marise Payne and Heiko Maas on the 10th of June 2021 (see download and link below). The Enhanced Strategic Partnership demonstrates the commitment of Australia and Germany to defend and advance the two countries’ common values and interests and to intensify bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The Ambassador also spoke about the new Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord which was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Chancellor Angela Merkel during the G7 Summit in Cornwall during the previous weekend.
The German Australian Business Council would like to warmly thank H.E Philip Green, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, our sponsor ANZ and our members and friends for their support in making this event such a success.
Enhanced Strategic Partnership between Australia and the Federal Republic of Germany
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The German Australian Business Council 2021 AGM took place virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions on the 21st of April.
Our Chair, Sabine Pittrof, provided more than 20 members with a report on the activities of the German Australian Business Council during the past year with a particular focus on the new membership model, events, relationships with government bodies and international activities. She also gave an outlook on 2021 initiatives, including focus themes for the year ahead and the event strategy in light of COVID-19 restrictions.
Our treasurer Eberhard Goihl reported on the status of the expenditures and revenues, the collection of outstanding member fees in the 2020 fiscal year and the budget for 2021 passed by the board, including the effects of the new membership model.
The presentations were followed by a short discussion after which the Board was released from liability.
It was also announced that The American German Business Club (AGBC) Munich had offered honorary corporate membership to the German Australian Business Council. This cooperation will mean that members of one association can attend functions of the other association under members’ conditions in the future. The resolution was supported unanimously by the AGM.
In order to be able to offer online board and general meetings in the future if desired, the Board proposed changes to the constitution which were adopted by the AGM in their entirety.
