ARCHIVE - The Hon Bob Baldwin MP was the former Parliamentary Secretary for Industry, Tourism and Resources. The following media release was issued during his term as Parliamentary Secretary. A new Government was sworn in by the Governor-General on 3 December 2007, including the following Ministerial appointments:
Senator the Hon Kim Carr - Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
The Hon Dr Craig Emerson MP - Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy, Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation.
For media releases from the current term of Government, please visit http://minister.innovation.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Media Release
The Hon Bob Baldwin, MP
8 May 2007
IP Australia, the Australian Government agency that administers intellectual property (IP) rights, has been given additional funds in the Federal Budget to educate businesses on IP issues arising from free trade agreements (FTA) with China and Japan.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Bob Baldwin, said the negotiation of FTAs required considerable resources.
"This funding, totalling $400,000, will enable IP Australia to provide technical expertise to the ongoing FTA negotiations with China and Japan," Mr Baldwin said.
"IP Australia will be able to provide high quality technical expertise for both negotiations."
Mr Baldwin said educating Australian businesses about the intellectual property environments in foreign trading partners was a core element of IP Australia's business.
"This initiative responds to market research indicating a larger role for IP Australia in dealing with concerns raised by the business community (for example through the Australian Industry Group) about ongoing issues in protecting and enforcing IP rights in China," Mr Baldwin said.
"It will enable free seminars to the business and legal community on strategies for protecting IP in China, developing a website for information on IP and ongoing consultations with key IP officials in China and Australia."
Mr Baldwin said IP Australia had sought additional funding to facilitate participation of technical experts in the Japan FTA negotiations, based on its experience with the China FTA negotiations and advocacy program.
"It will further develop IP information for Australian businesses trading with Japan," Mr Baldwin said.
"This funding responds to the need for rigorous IP support for Australian businesses that stand to benefit from enormous potential of FTAs with both these economies."
Media contact: Jaimie Abbott 02 6277 4200 (0417 490 821)