Agent General John Langoulant AO engages with and advances strategic relationships with Australian Ambassadors through Europe to progress investment and trade outcomes for Western Australia.

On 19 September 2023, the Exhibition Hall within the Australian High Commission was transformed to celebrate the rich culture, design and innovation of our First Nations people.

This quarter marked 100 days since entry into force of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Over this period there has been pleasing interest in the provisions of the Free Trade Agreement, with some new to market companies benefiting from the eliminated tariffs brought about by the implementation of the Agreement.

Minister Papalia returns to the United Kingdom to lead defence industry delegation from Western Australia and deliver a keynote speech to the inaugural Australian British Chamber of Commerce Defence Catalyst event.

September started with a bang for the Office welcoming the Minister for Training; Water and Youth the Hon. Simone McGurk MLA to the United Kingdom.

The beginning of the British summer was briefly traded by Tom Lamond for a chilly week down under in Perth, with WAGO supporting an international education familiarisation visit for a handful of career advisors from leading UK independent schools.  

On the 6^th and 7^th of June, Dave Burrows and Carolyn Gallop of this Office attended the Space Comm Expo held at Farnborough.  There were over one hundred companies on stand and many interesting sessions the most memorable being the fireside chat with Tim Peake CMG, the first British European Space Agency astronaut who visited the International Space Station.  Tim has a new role since April 2023 as a Non-Executive Director at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) working with leaders to advise on how to grow the UK into a space superpower.

The rich history and cultural ties between Western Australia and the United Kingdom have long been recognised through this office. In fact, the Agent General Act 1895 was the enabling legislation in Western Australia for the purposes of regulating the appointment and tenure of the office of Agent General. Since this time, the position of Agent General has played an important role in commemorating and celebrating the longstanding relationship between Western Australia and the United Kingdom.

The heat was on in London for London Tech Week as an outstanding delegation from Western Australia descended on London. Each delegate presented a unique and innovative product and offering across a broad range of sectors. With a mission to learn all about entering and scaling a tech business in the United Kingdom, the delegates learnt about the fundamentals of entering the UK market, including opportunities under the Free Trade Agreement, raising capital, legal requirements and considerations surrounding recruitment and employment.

In April 2023, Barcelona hosted the annual Global Seafood Expo which welcomed 2,078 exhibiting companies from 87 countries and 68 national and regional pavilions. The event drew attendance from over 33,000 visitors from across the seafood industry, government, media, producers, buyers and suppliers.

The recent entry into force of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement is an important milestone in the historic relationship between Australia and the United Kingdom. This relationship has historically been underpinned by strong cultural, institutional and people to people links. Entry into force of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement presents a gold standard agreement which further strengthens the investment and trading relationship betwen our jurisdictions.

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), Perth office, arranged a defence and critical minerals trade mission to London, New York and Washington DC from 27 March to 5 April 2023.