Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As pre-empted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon His Excellency Mr Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs; His Excellency Mr Andi Mattalatta, Minister for Law and Human Rights; and Ambassador Thayeb, who regrettably will soon be leaving our shores to take up a senior position in Jakarta. To the ambassador, selamat sukses; to our visitors, selamat datang. On behalf of the House I extend a very warm welcome to our visitors.

Honourable Members:

Hear, hear!

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on indulgence, may I say on behalf of the opposition how much we share the sentiments expressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Both sides of the House are committed, and we have demonstrated in government how committed we are, to a strong friendship with Indonesia. That friendship is not just between two nations; it also a very warm relationship between many members of this House, and indeed the other house, and their counterparts in Indonesia. The ministerial meetings have been continuing for a very long time and we look forward to them continuing for many years into the future.