Australia's consultation process on OECD MNE Guidelines
The following was sent to selected NGOs. The capital cities of most Australian States and Territories (Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Canberra) were excluded from the process.
Dear NGO Representatives
As you would be aware, the Australian Treasury is in the process of conducting consultations on the current Review of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (the Guidelines). The Review of the Guidelines, aimed at ensuring the Guidelines' continued relevance in a changing international economy, has already been underway for more than a year and will continue to be discussed at meetings of the Working Party on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises until its completion in June 2000.
Your organisation will already have received several letters seeking comments on the Guidelines. The Treasury now proposes to conduct face-to-face presentations and discussions on the Guidelines with interested non-governmental organisations (NGOs). These consultations will be held on the 1st of March 2000 in Sydney, and the 2nd of March 2000 in Melbourne.
Sydney:
Session 1:
10am-12noon - Wednesday, 1 March 2000.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Level 18 Westfield Towers
100 William Street, Sydney.
Session 2:
2pm-4pm - Wednesday, 1 March 2000.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Level 18 Westfield Towers
100 William Street, Sydney.
Melbourne:
Session 1:
10am-12noon - Thursday, 2 March 2000.
The Blamey Room
The Naval and Military Club
27 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.
Session 2:
2pm-4pm - Thursday, 2 March 2000.
The Blamey Room
The Naval and Military Club
27 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.
You will note that there will be a morning and afternoon session in each of Sydney and Melbourne - it is only necessary to attend one session. I would appreciate your advice by return e-mail no later than cob 25 February 2000, as to which session your organisation would prefer to attend and the name of each attendee representing your organisation. Should you know of any additional interested NGO representatives who are not currently on the above mailing list but would like to attend the consultations session, please let me know so that this information can be forwarded to them.
For your information, the draft revised consolidated text of the Guidelines, representing a work in progress, can be found on the Treasury website, along with an explanatory paper regarding the context and process of the Review, and Australia's experience with the Guidelines. It can be found at http://www.firb.gov.au/mne . If you do not have access to the internet, I would be happy to forward a copy of the draft text upon your request.
Comments from NGOs are an important contributory factor in determining Australia's position in relation to the Guidelines Review. Accordingly, we urge your participation in these consultations and look forward to discussing aspects of the Guidelines with you at our consultations in Sydney and Melbourne next month.
I look forward to hearing from you regarding your attendance. Should you have any questions on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me on the number listed below.
Yours sincerely,
Rebecca Lustenberger
Foreign Investment Policy Division
Treasury.
Ph. (02) 6263 3082
Fax: (02) 6263 2940.