Minister for Children and Youth Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs; the Honourable Leanne Linard MP; Shadow Minister for Seniors, Communities and Disability Services and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Mr John-Paul Langbroek MP; Dean of the Consular Corps of Queensland and Honorary Consul of Switzerland, Mr Daniel Gschwind; Executive Committee and Members of the Consular Corps of Queensland; distinguished guests; good evening and welcome!
I begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands of Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and extend respectful greetings to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
In December last year, a month after I was sworn in as Governor, I spoke at the Consular Corps of Queensland’s annual Christmas dinner, and Graeme and I were delighted to meet so many of the Corp’s dedicated members at that event.
Tonight gives me another opportunity to thank you all for your service to your countries and to ours, which brings the world together around the historic Government House dining table.
I am sure that the first owner of this magnificent house, Johann Heussler, would be happy to see this room being used for tonight’s occasion, as he was appointed Consul of the Netherlands in 1862, and then 18 years later, also became Consul for the Imperial German Empire.
Queensland’s population when this house was first constructed in 1865 was reported as less than 100,000 people. Today, there are more than 5 million of us, and we are an incredibly diverse State, benefitting enormously from the rich dynamic perspective multiculturalism brings.
The Consular Corps of Queensland has grown in tandem, with your members now representing 40 countries from around the globe.
The important work you all do—bridging and strengthening connections across seas and borders—helps generate unity and stability, which are so vital in times of uncertainty.
COVID-19 demonstrated to us all that our world is unpredictable, despite our best efforts to foresee and plan.
Other cataclysmic events, such as natural disasters, have the ability to displace people and create confusion.
At these difficult times, the Consular Corps offers a deeply reassuring presence for the citizens of the countries you represent, as you work with your own Governments and ours to deliver assistance.
But, of course your work extends far beyond that aspect, vital though it is.
By promoting and supporting your countries’ investment and trade potential, you are continuing a long tradition that has served our State so well, over so many years.
The bilateral relationships you foster and reinforce will only be more necessary as we face an ever complex, fast-changing future, and again, I thank you for your efforts.
I am looking forward to attending your Christmas function again in December, but until then, please enjoy our wonderful Government House hospitality and our exceptional, locally sourced Queensland produce.
