From 26-27. September 2014 Ambassador Dr Damir Kušen paid an official visit to the Australian state of Queensland on an invitation from the local government. During the visit, he held a meeting with Governor H.E. Paul de Jersey, and both sides expressed interest in strengthening relations between Croatian and Queensland. Given the rich experience of the Queensland Administration in the prevention of floods and forest fires, Governor de Jersey kindly offered the exchange of experience in these areas, especially in the management of river basins.
Ambassador Kušen had separate meetings with the Vice-President of Parliament, Mark Robinson; the supreme judge of Queensland, Mr. Timothy Carmody; and with the Chief Geologist at the Ministry of Mining and Energy, Mr. Brad John. Ambassador Kušen presented the business potential of Croatian ports and their importance for imports of goods to the 500-million strong European markets particularly in the context of membership in the EU, as well as existing and planned transport and energy infrastructure in Croatia.
As part of his official visit to Queensland, the Ambassador had a meeting with the Deputy Mayor of Brisbane, Ms Angela Owen-Taylor. He also visited two leading universities - the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology, and discussed a possible strengthening of cooperation with Croatian universities, mainly through the exchange of students and academics, and the possibility of forming joint scientific research teams.
During his visit to Queensland, Ambassador Kušen also had a meeting with representatives of the Croatian community in the Croatian Club in Rocklea, and attended the Holy Mass at the Croatian Catholic Centre in Brisbane.
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