Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Briefly, earlier this week I advised the House that I had been asked by members of parliament as to whether or not we would do anything to offer our condolences to the people of Norway on their losses, and I said I would have something further to say about it during the course of the week. I can now advise the House that I have written to the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, inviting him to visit Australia as an official guest of government. Mr Stoltenberg is intending to transit through Australia on way to the Norwegian Antarctic Territory. Given that Norway is a good friend and a good partner of our country, I thought it was appropriate to offer him the opportunity for a formal head of government visit. Australia and a Norway cooperate on a number of important global challenges, including arms control, peace building, peacekeeping and climate change, so I am delighted that he has accepted his invitation and he will be here a little later this year.

This week also marks one month since the brutal attacks which took place in Norway. In my letter to Prime Minister Stoltenberg I took the opportunity again to convey our deepest condolences to the victims, their families and the people of Norway. Their courage and strength is an inspiration and we will have an opportunity to reflect on that when the Prime Minister of Norway is with us.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I join the Prime Minister in condemning those attacks in Norway and on behalf of the coalition offering our condolences to the Norwegian government and people.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!