In this regard I would like to pay tribute to the work of the newly established Australian Services Network which was launched only last month as a successor to the Australian Coalition of Services Industries. I am confident that the ASN will be able to build on the good work of ACSI by providing additional focus and commitment in representing services sector interests before Government, and also at the industry level. It is particularly important from my perspective because of the forthcoming WTO negotiations - the subject on which most of you have turned up today to hear more on what the Government is doing. Before focusing on the trade and WTO issues, it is important to recognise the importance of the services sector to the Australian economy. I'm sure that I am preaching to the converted here today - but it is surprising how little attention is paid to the compelling statistics that emphasise the importance of what you do.
Services also comprise almost a quarter of Australia's total exports.
At the end of the Uruguay Round, our services credits were worth more than a third as much again as all our services trade at the beginning of that Round. More importantly still, the services sector has demonstrated a capacity for strong and sustained growth - across many sectors, despite financial crises in the region and against increased competition from overseas. The second point is a word of encouragement rather than a reminder. Ask yourself today where you want your company to be in five years, when the Round concludes, or in ten years, when the Round is bedded down. In addition, give us something else as well.