2011 Media Releases

Deutsche Bank, together with The Australian, was again leading the way in cutting-edge debate when it hosted The Australian and Deutsche Bank Business Leaders Forum in Perth, Western Australia today.

Boasting three world-class panellists in The Hon Colin Barnett MEc MLA, Premier of Western Australia & Minister for State Development, Ann Pickard, Country Chair Australia, Shell & Executive Vice President, Upstream and Don Voelte on his final day as Chief Executive of Woodside Petroleum, the Forum lived up to its reputation of providing lively discussion and debate.

Moderated by The Australian’s Jennifer Hewitt and John Durie, the panel discussed a wide range of topics from the proposed carbon tax, skills shortages, relations between state and federal governments, mining royalties and Western Australia’s role in the Australian and global economies.

The topics covered and the broad media attention the Forum attracted demonstrates why Deutsche Bank and The Australian believe that it is vital that senior politicians and industry leaders to come together as often as possible to address key policy issues and make rational decisions.

This was the first The Australian and Deutsche Bank Business Leaders Forum held outside of Sydney. Commenting on the decision to host the event in Perth, Deutsche Bank’s Executive Chairman John Macfarlane said, “Western Australia is in many ways at the heart of both the opportunity and the challenges that Australia faces as a nation. It’s important because of its vast commodity endowment and its associated need for investment capital and labour. The perspective that business has in Perth is different to that of business on the east coast so we at Deutsche Bank are proud to provide a platform for lively debate in this new epicentre of commerce.”

Speaking at the event, The Australian’s Chief Executive Richard Freudenstein said, “As Western Australia’s influence as a corporate powerhouse increases, so does its role in Australia’s economy and future – which is why The Australian was such a proud co-host of this event. Seeing Premier Barnett sit alongside Ann Pickard and Don Voelte, discussing and debating the future of this state and country, was fascinating and immensely rewarding - it was a privilege to be in the room. I look forward to our next event.”

The next Business Leaders Forum hosted by The Australian and Deutsche Bank will be held on Friday 22 July in Melbourne.

For further information, please contact:

Deutsche Bank AG    
Name : Kate Abrahams   
Phone: +61 (0) 2 8258 2416
E-mail: Kate.abrahams@db.com