Australia's largest presentation of contemporary art in the UK, Undergrowth - Australia UK, was launched by the Hon John Howard MP, Prime Minister of Australia, at a reception in London to coincide with the London premiere of Graeme Murphy's Swan Lake by The Australian Ballet. Undergrowth is a two-year program of Australian contemporary arts in the UK, that will see more than 20 world-class Australian contemporary arts companies appearing at the UK's most prestigious venues and festivals during 2005, with many more to come in 2006.

Craft Australia presents the speech by Jennifer Bott, Chief Executive Officer of the Australia Council, and a preview of the exhibition Global Local being presented at the V&A Museum as part of the Undergrowth festival.

Distinguished guests, friends and colleagues

Good evening and welcome

It's great to see so many friends of the Australian arts here tonight to celebrate Undergrowth - Australian Arts UK

I'd like to particularly acknowledge the support tonight of the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Howard, and Mrs Howard in both launching Undergrowth, and attending the performance tonight of the Australian Ballet at the start of a very busy week in the UK.

It's a thrill to introduce this wonderful season of Australian contemporary arts. As you'll see tonight, the Undergrowth program features 20 of Australia's most exciting performing arts companies who are producing highly innovative and distinctly Australian work, such as the Morganies, the Australian Theatre for Young People, The Necks, Moira Finucane with the Burlesque Hour, and Australian designers in Object: Australian Centre for Craft and Design, the Sydney Dance Company, Legs on the Wall and many many more.

As many of you know Australian artists have had recent success with a number of high profile arts presentations in the UK; including the Heads Up program of Australian arts in London in 2000; the CultureShock Festival for the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games; the annual Australian Film Festival at the Barbican organised through the Australian Film Commission; and highly successful productions such as Cloudstreet written by Tim Winton and presented by Company B, The Ghost Wife written by Jonathon Mills, Birdbrain and The Age of Unbeauty by Australian Dance Theatre and Circus Oz.

We've also welcomed increasing numbers of UK delegates at major events in Australia, including the Australian Performing arts Market, the Australian International Music Market, the Biennale of Sydney and the Visiting International Publishers program.

Our two countries have social, political educational and artistic traditions - we have built on this to establish a contemporary dialogue - as we each face personal, community and national challenges in the 21st century. We have come to value each other's stories, images and expressions of beauty and pain. Australia has developed its own voice - born of several key factors: that we are home to the oldest living culture in the world, our very continent and its isolation, and our diverse mix of peoples over the last 230 years of immigration.

This has led to a distinctive approach to physical theatre and circus, to chamber orchestras, film, opera, to dance and literature and visual arts and theatre. We think differently about ourselves as a result of these expressions.

And this has not gone unnoticed by the world's producers, presenters, curators and publishers.

Julia Carruthers, Head of Dance and Performance at Royal Festival Hall, is a regular visitor to Australian shores. In her view: "Europeans look to Australia to provide upbeat, fresh, modern, bright and courageous work, which takes a different and daring look at the world."

These views are, I believe, reflected in the public's warm enthusiasm for Australian work. Which means there's a great opportunity to build on this interest. Undergrowth is a two-year program to ensure the long-term artistic engagement for Australian artists and companies in the UK and in Europe more broadly by presenting new work and continuing to build strong enduring relationships.

We are extremely grateful to the presenting partners in the UK for their commitment and genuine passion for Australian arts and culture. It is a commitment I know that Australian presenters have for British arts and culture. This is a lively contemporary exchange, which we value enormously!

In closing I'd like to acknowledge the important role played by a number of people who have been integral to making Undergrowth happen.

The Australia Council warmly thanks, Richard Alston, High Commissioner for Australia, and the High Commission team, in particular Jeremy Mitchell and Anna Nieuwenhuysen. Warm thanks also to Ben Chamberlain, who is our UK based publicist. We thank you all for your dedication to this exciting program of Australian work.

Undergrowth could not happen without the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australia International Cultural Council, and our other Commonwealth partners: Austrade and the Australian Film Commission.

Do enjoy tonight's performance of the Australian Ballet's production of Graeme Murphy's Swan Lake - the 2005 Undergrowth program - and standby for an exceptional 2006 program, which will be announced in a few months.

Good evening, and thank you again for being with us.

Jennifer Bott, Chief Executive Officer, Australia Council