Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call the honourable member for Wentworth, I'm pleased to advise the House that joining us today is His Excellency Mr Gabriele Visentin, the Ambassador of the European Union to Australia. We have students from Bright, Wandiligong and Harrietville from the electorate of Indi joining us today—I hope I got that right, Member for Indi. Joining us also is Dr Mark Robinson, the retiring member for Oodgeroo, from the Queensland State Parliament.

I am also pleased to inform members that present in the gallery today is a delegation from the Republic of Fiji, led by Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Manoa Kamikamica. They are joined by His Excellency Mr Ewen McDonald, the High Commissioner for Australia to Fiji, and are here in parliament today on Fiji Day. We are privileged to share this day together in Australia as vuvale, which means 'family', reinforcing the deep respect of our relationship. Welcome to you all.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—Mr Speaker, can I join you in welcoming the Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, and his delegation. To have Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica with us in this place, where one year ago our prime ministers renewed and elevated our Vuvale Partnership, is a distinct honour. In the past year we've significantly progressed shared priorities, including economic recovery, security and climate resilience, and deepened the strong personal ties our two governments have formed. I'd also like to recognise the exemplary role that Fiji plays in our Pacific region. We are deeply grateful for that. Australia and Fiji share an interest in strong regional architecture and a desire to work through the Pacific Islands Forum in the Pacific way on our shared challenges.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

():  on indulgence—I join in and support the Deputy Prime Minister's kind words to our most honoured guest. I also welcome His Excellency Ewen McDonald, the High Commissioner to Fiji for Australia and Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs. He does a fantastic job in our country's name. As you know, Deputy Prime Minister, this is a long, abiding relationship, and we're very grateful for your presence here today. More than ever, the relationship is important, and the government and the opposition stand as one in our support of the bilateral relationship and ways in which we can work with you, in the PIF and in bilateral ways. The only exception to that, I suppose, is rugby, where you give us a touch-up now and again! Apart from that, there is no tension in the relationship whatsoever, and we hope that you enjoy a most fruitful stay here in Australia. We thank you so much for making the effort to be here.