PM lays his APEC fashion taste on line
Village Voice.com.au, Australia
Unlike his predecessor Paul Keating, Prime Minister John Howard has never been particularly renowned for his sartorial flair.
But the prime minister will get a chance to put his fashion credentials on the line when he makes the final decision on the garments to be donned by Asia Pacific leaders when they descend on Sydney in September.
One of the highlights of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit each year is the so-called “silly shirts” worn for the official photograph.
Alan Henderson, from the APEC 2014 taskforce, told a Senate estimates committee on Monday night that Mr Howard would give the green light to the final design.
“It’s not really being left to the prime minister to finalise the design features, is it?” Labor senator John Faulkner asked incredulously.
Mr Henderson said professionals were doing the design work but Mr Howard would have the final say.
“He will sign off on the clothes the APEC leaders wear?” Senator Faulkner asked.
“God help us.”
But Mr Henderson told Senator Faulkner he might be “quite impressed” with the choice.
A decision is expected within the next month.
Last year in Hanoi leaders wore the traditional ao dai, while they donned trendy leather jackets when the meeting was held in Seattle in the 1990s.
Mr Henderson would not say who had been chosen to supply the garment.
“The manufacturer will suggest the nature of the garment,” he said.
Senator Faulkner predicted leaders would be kitted out in Driza-bone coats, Akubra hats and RM Williams boots.
But Mr Henderson did reveal where the official photograph would be taken.
“Behind Government House, in front of the Opera House, in front of some gum trees and in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” he said.
The Senate estimates hearing was told the commonwealth had already run up a $319 million tab for APEC.
Mr Henderson said the total commonwealth APEC bill was $319 million so far, including nearly $78 million to help NSW police with security.
All up security will gobble up nearly 50 per cent of the funds.
“(Some) 53 per cent of the total cost is for security,” Mr Henderson said.
