IT WAS December last year, and the newly-minted Australia Gulf Council was ushering its first business mission through the Arab Gulf states, seeking key relationships with the ruling families and hoping to land trade and investment deals.
High-powered political cachet came from the former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke - a director on the council - and the steward of Australia's economic success for a decade, the former Liberal treasurer, Peter Costello. Senior executives on board had interests in banking, property, engineering, professional services, fast food, agribusiness and commodities. But the interest dominating their hosts' attention was clear - food security.
High-powered political cachet came from the former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke - a director on the council - and the steward of Australia's economic success for a decade, the former Liberal treasurer, Peter Costello. Senior executives on board had interests in banking, property, engineering, professional services, fast food, agribusiness and commodities. But the interest dominating their hosts' attention was clear - food security.
