Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CANBERRA1054
2009-11-27 06:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR BLEICH MEETS TREASURER SWAN
how-toVZCZCXRO1283 RR RUEHPT DE RUEHBY #1054 3310634 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 270634Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2363 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9653 RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 5565 RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR 2643 RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6804 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 5070 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 5073 RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 001054
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, EEB/OMA, NSC FOR JIM LOI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2019
TAGS: EFIN ECON PREL AS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR BLEICH MEETS TREASURER SWAN
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4 (
b)(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 001054
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, EEB/OMA, NSC FOR JIM LOI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2019
TAGS: EFIN ECON PREL AS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR BLEICH MEETS TREASURER SWAN
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4 (
b)(d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Treasurer Wayne Swan welcomed Ambassador
Bleich during an introductory meeting on November 27 and
expressed optimism about Australia's economic outlook. Swan
was pessimistic about the fate of the emissions bill
being hotly debated in Parliament, as well as that of
Opposition leader Turnbull. He was appreciative of
Treasury Secretary Geithner's frequent consultations with him
on many issues, including G20. Swan explained his
approach to China, which he described as a "roller coaster"
relationship, and his intention to engage regionally as
much as with China. End Summary.
GFC and Close Coordination with U.S.
--------------
2. (SBU) Ambassador Bleich met Treasurer Wayne Swan during an
introductory meeting on November 27. Swan commented
that Australia did better than he had expected in surviving
the GFC. He was appreciative of the degree of consultation
and engagement shown by U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner
throughout the crisis and on issues like the G20, saying
"I've talked with my fellow Finance Ministers more than
members of my own Cabinet in the past six months." He added
that Geithner sounded more optimistic about the U.S. economy
the last time they spoke a few weeks earlier.
China and the Region
--------------
3. (C) Swan described the relationship with China as a
"roller coaster." He said there have been improvements
since he opened an investment dialogue last year with China's
National Development and Reform Commission, but
that recurring sore points in the relationship require
constant attention - such as the arrest of Rio Tinto
executive Stern Hu and China's displeasure over Treasury's
investment guidelines.
4. (C) He explained that central to the guidelines is a
determination to prevent any consumer from acquiring one of
Australia's major resource companies and becoming a price
setter. Even so, Swan emphasized that out of 110
applications by Chinese companies since he has been
Treasurer, only 5 have been denied. Furthermore, Swan
recounted how G20 colleagues, who had previously "condemned"
these guidelines, were now approaching him with
interest to learn more about and possibly adopt them.
5. (C) Saying that "Asia is not China," Swan explained that
Australia is determined to engage with the region
holistically, despite the public's "fascination with China."
He said that APEC's recent gathering
reinforced the importance of Asian countries other than China
and he highlighted the great dynamism and potential for
growth in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.
Emissions Vote in Jeopardy and Opposition in Disarray
-------------- --------------
6. (C) Swan opined to the Ambassador that the long-debated
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) would not pass,
due to the chaotic infighting taking place within the
Opposition. Swan's Chief of Staff Chris Barrett told DCM
Clune that it was still unclear whether the bill's failure
would trigger a double dissolution election.
7. (C) With regard to Opposition leader Turnbull, Swan said
it "is almost inevitable now that we will see a new
opposition leader." He added that the Opposition's meltdown
Qopposition leader." He added that the Opposition's meltdown
over CPRS was symptomatic of deeper issues and that
Turnbull's problems went beyond climate change.
BLEICH
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, EEB/OMA, NSC FOR JIM LOI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2019
TAGS: EFIN ECON PREL AS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR BLEICH MEETS TREASURER SWAN
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4 (
b)(d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Treasurer Wayne Swan welcomed Ambassador
Bleich during an introductory meeting on November 27 and
expressed optimism about Australia's economic outlook. Swan
was pessimistic about the fate of the emissions bill
being hotly debated in Parliament, as well as that of
Opposition leader Turnbull. He was appreciative of
Treasury Secretary Geithner's frequent consultations with him
on many issues, including G20. Swan explained his
approach to China, which he described as a "roller coaster"
relationship, and his intention to engage regionally as
much as with China. End Summary.
GFC and Close Coordination with U.S.
--------------
2. (SBU) Ambassador Bleich met Treasurer Wayne Swan during an
introductory meeting on November 27. Swan commented
that Australia did better than he had expected in surviving
the GFC. He was appreciative of the degree of consultation
and engagement shown by U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner
throughout the crisis and on issues like the G20, saying
"I've talked with my fellow Finance Ministers more than
members of my own Cabinet in the past six months." He added
that Geithner sounded more optimistic about the U.S. economy
the last time they spoke a few weeks earlier.
China and the Region
--------------
3. (C) Swan described the relationship with China as a
"roller coaster." He said there have been improvements
since he opened an investment dialogue last year with China's
National Development and Reform Commission, but
that recurring sore points in the relationship require
constant attention - such as the arrest of Rio Tinto
executive Stern Hu and China's displeasure over Treasury's
investment guidelines.
4. (C) He explained that central to the guidelines is a
determination to prevent any consumer from acquiring one of
Australia's major resource companies and becoming a price
setter. Even so, Swan emphasized that out of 110
applications by Chinese companies since he has been
Treasurer, only 5 have been denied. Furthermore, Swan
recounted how G20 colleagues, who had previously "condemned"
these guidelines, were now approaching him with
interest to learn more about and possibly adopt them.
5. (C) Saying that "Asia is not China," Swan explained that
Australia is determined to engage with the region
holistically, despite the public's "fascination with China."
He said that APEC's recent gathering
reinforced the importance of Asian countries other than China
and he highlighted the great dynamism and potential for
growth in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.
Emissions Vote in Jeopardy and Opposition in Disarray
-------------- --------------
6. (C) Swan opined to the Ambassador that the long-debated
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) would not pass,
due to the chaotic infighting taking place within the
Opposition. Swan's Chief of Staff Chris Barrett told DCM
Clune that it was still unclear whether the bill's failure
would trigger a double dissolution election.
7. (C) With regard to Opposition leader Turnbull, Swan said
it "is almost inevitable now that we will see a new
opposition leader." He added that the Opposition's meltdown
Qopposition leader." He added that the Opposition's meltdown
over CPRS was symptomatic of deeper issues and that
Turnbull's problems went beyond climate change.
BLEICH