Red Carpet Doorstop Interview - G’Day USA Gala Ball

Subjects: G’Day USA, Heath Ledger

REPORTER: What do you make of all of this?

STEPHEN SMITH: It’s a great day it’s good to be here for the G’Day USA celebrations and most of all its great to be here to celebrate Australia Day which is our National day and the celebration of the modern Australia. It is also a chance to reaffirm the great friendship between Australia and the USA.

REPORTER: It will be a night for celebrations but it will also a night to remember…

STEPHEN SMITH: There’s a been a touch of sadness all week as a result of Heath Ledger’s sudden and tragic death so again our thoughts go out to the family so there will be a touch of sadness about the night, at the loss of a great Australian and so tragically young. Our thoughts go to the family and we hope that during this difficult time the thoughts of Australians everywhere help them through this period.

REPORTER: Have you or DFAT been in touch with the Ledger family?

STEPHEN SMITH: DFAT officers have been in touch with the family and have made it clear that whatever Consular assistance or help they need will be provided. They have been in contact with Consular officers and I am perfectly happy and satisfied that whatever assistance we can give is either occurring or has been offered.

REPORTER: (Inaudible)

STEPHEN SMITH: I’m going to Washington tomorrow, and from Washington I go to Tokyo. I get back to Perth for a couple of days in early February. So I’m not sure what arrangements, if any, there will be in Perth. That will be entirely a matter for the family. But the people of Perth, Heath’s home town of course, are very saddened by this tragic loss. So there is a pall of sadness surrounding the people of Perth, as a result of what’s occurred in the last few days.

REPORTER: Are you aware of any memorial services that have been held?

STEPHEN SMITH; No, I don’t. It’s entirely a matter for the family, so I don’t know the details. It should be left entirely to them for whatever arrangements they want at this terrible time for them. Thank you.

Ends

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