Transcript of 6:30pm news SBS
SWEDISH ROYALS VISIT AUSTRALIA
The King and Queen of Sweden have arrived in Australia for a 6-day visit. While here, they will explore their interest in Australian art and history and the environment. And the royals have not ruled out questioning the Federal Government over its refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol on global warming.
Hundreds of Australia's Swedish community turned out to welcome the royals as King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia touched down on Australian soil, greeted by the Prime Minister and Governor-General. and a 21-gun salute. The Swedish King inspected the Guard of Honour before being whisked away for a tour of the Australian War Memorial, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then it was on to lunch at Parliament House with the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader. The Prime Minister praised their two countries' warm relationship and trade links.
JOHN HOWARD, PRIME MINISTER: But there are many Australian businessmen and women who are very familiar with Swedish technology, Swedish ingenuity and Swedish scientific and medical research capacity.
The royal couple then toured some of Canberra's sites, including the National Museum, viewing Aboriginal artefacts. During the 6-day visit, the royals will meet Australian experts to discuss advances in medicine and biotechnology. But the Swedish King isn't saying whether he'll raise an issue close to his heart, that of global warming, with the Prime Minister.
KING CARL GUSTAF: Maybe, maybe not, I don't know, it depends. It depends on my mood. No, it depends who I'm talking to. And there's nothing sort of planned, it's more a general discussion. The royals have previously expressed their concerns to reporters in Sweden about Australia's refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol. Tomorrow, they will attend a round table discussion on climate change and Australia's biodiversity at the Australian National University. They will also spend time in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and the Northern Territory over the following week.
So I guess we know what they're doing tomorrow, at least!