Hon Clive Griffiths to be Agent General in London
21/5/96 Western Australia's longest-serving current member of Parliament, Hon Clive Griffiths, will retire from representative politics and has accepted the position as Western Australia's Agent General in London.
21/5/96
Western Australia's longest-serving current member of Parliament, Hon Clive Griffiths, will retire from representative politics and has accepted the position as Western Australia's Agent General in London.
Premier Richard Court said Mr Griffiths would take up the appointment in January next year, replacing Mr Bill Hassell, who was appointed to the position in 1994.
Mr Court said Mr Griffiths had been an outstanding parliamentary representative, who had an extensive range of experience that would assist him in his new post.
Mr Griffiths was elected to State Parliament in 1965 and has been president of the Legislative Council since May, 1977.
A prominent member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, he was its chairman from 1990 to 1993.
Mr Griffiths has also participated in two trade delegations to India - leading an all-party delegation to the country in 1994 and returning as part of a joint Federal-State delegation in 1995.
His strong links with many overseas nations saw him appointed as the co-chairman of the 1995 International Forum on the Indian Ocean Region.
"The strong relationship between Western Australia and the United Kingdom, combined with the continuing development of the European Union requires that this State maintains a senior presence within Europe," Mr Court said.
"Mr Griffiths is an appropriate appointment; with his considerable links throughout the world due to his involvement in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, he is a strong advocate of WA business pursuing opportunities overseas and is keen to promote further investment in this State."
Mr Court said he was confident that Mr Griffiths would carry on the good work undertaken by Mr Hassell as Agent General.
"Mr Hassell has been an outstanding representative for this State in Europe and his appointment - due to end in August - will be extended until the end of the year to take into account Mr Griffiths starting date," he said.
Media contact: Casey Cahill 222 9475
