John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

This is unfortunate—and I think it will be a matter of regret to the House, despite the rather stupid interjection of the member for Lilley, who has no courtesy or respect for the Prime Minister of Japan. I hope that at some time in the future the Prime Minister of Japan will have the opportunity of addressing a joint sitting of this parliament, because I think it would indeed have been a historic moment for the Prime Minister of Japan to have taken up that offer. I look forward to meeting him at the APEC gathering.

I am delighted to confirm that the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Harper, has accepted the invitation to address a joint sitting. In light of the changes to Mr Abe’s program, I have offered the Canadian Prime Minister the option to make his address to parliament one day earlier than previously planned and I expect that will now be on Tuesday, 11 September.

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