Delegate Handbook
Inaugural APDY Convention
Fremantle Australia
5-10 January 1999
1. The Host City ~ Perth
Perth is the capital city in the state of Western Australia - physically the largest state within the Australian Federation. Western Australia boasts the (geographically) largest electorate of any democracy in the world - Kalgoorlie; it contains massive mining industries; and is a major exporter to the Asian region. The convention is a fantastic opportunity to escape a northern winter and enjoy Australia's beautiful summer. The convention hotel is situated in Fremantle, a seaside area of Perth.
The Esplanade Hotel is one of Western Australia's premier hotel and convention facilities. This four and a half star hotel has luxury rooms are complimented by a full range of hotel services including pool, sauna, spa and gym. The hotel also boasts excellent conference, function and entertainment facilities. It is just two minutes walk to shopping, restaurants, markets, fishing boats, cafes, fashionable bars, cinemas, galleries and colonial history. The hotel is situated only 100 metres east of the Indian Ocean. The Esplanade Hotel is twenty minutes from the Perth City centre and thirty minutes from the International Airport Terminal (connected by shuttle buses, taxis and executive cars).
The National Convention of the Young Liberal Movement of Australia will be running concurrently in the same venue. All social functions will be joint events, some guest speakers will be joint events, but all APDY business sessions will be exclusive to international guests and invited observers.
The Liberal Party is Australia's main centre-right party, drawing upon both classical liberal traditions (principally free market values) and conservative traditions (centred around the importance of private institutions, the rule of law and the family). The main opposition party is the Labor Party which has close affiliations to trade union interests. The Liberal Party has spent longer in government than any other party at state or federal level. The Liberal Party often governs in coalition with the National Party, a small rural-based party. The Liberal/National Coalition has governed Australia since 1996 under Prime Minister John Winston Howard. Mr Howard was re-elected for a second term of government in October 1998.
2. The Official Programme
An asterisk (*) indicates a joint event with the Young Liberal Movement of Australia.
Tuesday 5th January
Arrival Delegates travel to the Esplanade Hotel, register with Convention organisers and check in. The address of the Esplanade is at the corner of Marine Terrace and Essex Street, Fremantle.
~ Upon arrival at the airport, please phone Daniel Clode immediately on
0417 233 674 to see if shared travel can be arranged with other delegates.
~ The “Fremantle Airport Shuttle” bus departs from the international airport, stopping first at the Esplanade Hotel. Shuttle bus departure times are at approximately 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm, 3:30pm, 8:30pm and 10:30pm. Special trips can also be requested by phoning either 0417 171 287 or (08) 9383 4115. Regular fares are A$12 each, or A$10 for groups of two or more.
~ The Esplanade Hotel also has a Executive Car Service costing A$40 (or about A$50 if a flight is delayed) and operating 24 hours (phone 0418 951 343).
~ Taxis cost around A$37 to A$40 from the international terminal.
~ Please note that tips are not conventional in Australia, except for service in restaurants and hotels.
6:30pm Diplomatic Welcome Function with delegates to the National Convention of the Young Liberal Movement of Australia. “Sundowner” drinks at the historic Fremantle Prison with representatives of the Diplomatic Corp based in Western Australia. The cost is A$15 for international Guests.*
Wednesday 6th January
9:30am Business Session 1 (BS 1) - Official Opening by Julie Bishop MP, Member for Curtin, representing Richard Court, the Premier of Western Australia and Leader of the Liberal Party Richard Court.*
10:45am Morning Tea.*
11:00am BS 2 - Introduction of representatives from around the world. National Reports by Member Parties (with questions).
12:30pm Lunch.*
1:45pm BS 3 - Foreign Affairs Forum on "Asia-Pacific Issues."
3:00pm Afternoon Tea.*
3:15pm BS 4 – Constitution and Standing Orders moved for adoption.
5:00pm Annual General Meeting of the APDY Council.
6:00pm Close of APDY Council Business.
7:00pm Patron's Dinner – Fremantle Sailing Club. Enjoy the finest local food and wine, looking out at the stunning view as the sun sets over Western Australia's sunset coast. The cost is A$50 for international guests. Guest speaker, Senator Ross Lightfoot, Patron of the Western Australian Young Liberals.*
Thursday 7th January
9:30am BS 5 - 1999 Finances and funding. Website and publications. Secretarial support. Possible new member parties.
10:45am Morning Tea.*
11:00am Free time. The Australian Young Liberal Movement will be conducting its Annual General Meeting at this time.*
12:00pm Lunch.*
1:00pm Field Trip to a major mine site, hosted by Alcoa Australia Ltd.*
4:00pm Conclusion of Field Trip..
5:00pm First APDY Executive Meeting.
6:30pm River Cruise and Dinner, departing from East Street Jetty, Fremantle. Perth's Swan River is, without doubt, one of Australia's most picturesque waterways offering the perfect conditions for a summertime moonlight river cruise. The cost for international guests is A$30.*
Friday 8th January
9:30am BS 7 – Address by Robert Isaacs, Aboriginal Elder. Neat casual dress.*
10:45am Morning Tea.*
11:00am BS 8 - Policy Motions and Papers.
12:30pm Lunch.*
1:45pm BS 9 - Election Campaigning and Marginal Seats Forum on polling and campaign strategy.
3:00pm Close of APDY Council Business.
3:00pm Afternoon Tea.*
3:15pm Free Afternoon. The Australian Young Liberals will be running a debating competition during this time.*
3:15pm IYDU Executive meeting. Agenda enclosed in this handbook.
3:15pm APDY Working Group on the "Freemantle Declaration" summarises the motions passed and the strategic directions adopted by the APDY Council.
7:30pm Annual Ball of the Australian Young Liberal Movement at The Esplanade Hotel. The cost for international guests is A$65. Black tie or lounge suit dress.*
Saturday 9th January
9:30am BS 10 – Address by Senator Eric Abetz – “Reflections on Reconciliation”. Neat casual dress.
10:30am Morning Tea.*
11:00am BS 11 - Concluding Session. Contact Group Formation. Media release of the "Freemantle Declaration". Concluding remarks, awards and farewells.
12:30pm Close of Perth APDY Convention.
12:30pm Lunch.*
1:45pm YLM Awards, Convention summary and farewells.*
3:30pm Close of YLM Convention.* Free evening: Fremantle and the Perth CBD provide numerous evening possibilities for dinner and entertainment. The YLM will be conducting a traditional Australian “pub crawl” this evening and international guests are most welcome to join in. If desired, delegates may request Saturday accommodation at the cost of A$120 for a twin share room at the Esplanade Hotel.
Sunday 10th January
Sunday presents an opportunity to undertake tourist opportunities in Fremantle, Perth or surrounds. Fremantle offers a unique range of entertainment and culinary delights. This port-side area is also within easy drive of Perth city, the Swan Valley wine region, national parks and many of Australia's best beaches with beautiful sand and surf.
Perth is host to several major international events during January including the Hopman Cup International Tennis Tournament (in full swing during the convention week), the FINA World Swimming Championships and the Heineken Golf Classic.
General tourism information on Western Australia is available at:
http://www.wa.gov.au/tourism.html
Tourist information on Australia is at:
http://www.aussie.net.au
3. Convention Packages
Cost details are set out below and largely reiterate what has been said before. The total cost, if you attend all functions, is $405. The price can be less if you opt to arrange your own evenings. These costs are at price, and compare with a $520 charge that Australian Young Liberals have to pay. All cheques are payable to the West Australian Young Liberals. The $405 cost for international guests consists of the following components:
$240 4 nights accommodation, twin share with another (5/1/99-8/1/99)
$ 15 Welcome Function (Tuesday evening 5/1/99)
$ 50 Patrons Dinner (Wednesday evening 6/1/99)
$ 30 River Cruise (Thursday evening 7/1/99)
$ 65 Annual Ball (Friday evening 8/1/99)
$ 5 Morning and Afternoon Teas
$405 TOTAL
Accommodation on Saturday evening (9/1/99) is not included in the standard registration cost. This can be booked at A$120 for a twin share room (which may be divided at $60 each). Convention organisers will arrange the booking on request. Fremantle and the Perth CBD provide numerous evening possibilities for dinner and entertainment on Saturday evening.
Please note that lunch each day is at delegates' discretion. There are a huge number of cafes, restaurants and take-aways surrounding the venue. It is also possible to arrange billets with West Australian Young Liberals. Please advise me soon if you would like a billet. However it is always most convenient for delegates to stay at the Convention venue – the Esplanade Hotel. If desired, a twin share room can be booked for a single individual, but this will cost $120 per night.