AGY-5135 | New South Wales Government Office, Los Angeles

Full description

The New South Wales Office, Los Angeles, was one of several overseas offices established to represent the state’s interests in foreign countries. The Los Angeles office was established in 1978 and operated as the principal office in North America, with the New York office providing service to the eastern region of North America until its closure in 1982. (1)

The function of the Los Angeles Office was to act on behalf of the New South Wales Government, and promote industrial development in New South Wales through providing information about the State's resources and investment potential. The Office also promoted trade and tourism in New South Wales, provided a service to official Government and private business visitors and missions, and undertook research on behalf of Government authorities. (2)

The Los Angeles Office liaised with North American companies seeking information about New South Wales on topics such as potential licensees for franchises in Australia, New South Wales companies licensing North American companies to produce Australian designed goods, and general investment opportunities. (3)

The Los Angeles Office also dealt with requests for information and publications from departments, visits to North America of departmental officers on study tours and to attend conferences, the purchase of equipment from North American companies, and the licensing for sale and production in North America of items developed by New South Wales Government agencies. The Los Angeles Office corresponded with the Australian Embassy, Consulates, and Australian Trade Commission offices in North America on joint trade efforts and for the exchange of information regarding trade.

In 1982, the New South Wales Office in New York was closed and the position of Industrial Promotions Officer was transferred to the Los Angeles Office. (4) In the 1987-88 financial year, Mr G.S. Day was Commissioner for North America.

The Los Angeles Office closed when services provided by the Office were withdrawn on 1 December 1988. (5)

Endnotes
1. Concise Guide to the State Archives (P-R): Premier’s Department, J, Overseas Offices.
2. loc. cit.
3. loc. cit.
4. NSW Premier’s Department, Annual Report, 1982, p.15.
5.. NSW Premier’s Department, Annual Report, 1988-89, p.52.