Friday 6 June 2025

Delivered with consecutive translation

Konbanwa. Good evening, everyone.

I begin by acknowledging Queensland’s Minister for Primary Industries, the Honourable Tony Perrett MP; Senior Commissioner for North Asia at Trade and Investment Queensland, Mr Tak Adachi and Deputy Trade Commissioner for Japan at Trade and Investment Queensland, Ms Melissa Inooka – thank you for your kind introduction and enduring support. 

It has been a pleasure to spend time in Tokyo and now here in Osaka on my first official visit to Japan as Governor of Queensland, in Australia. Each day has deepened my appreciation for the strength and warmth of the Queensland–Japan relationship.

Earlier today, I had the honour of attending the Queensland Day Luncheon – a vibrant celebration of our partnership, our people, and the wonderful connections we continue to build. I extend my sincere thanks to the team at DemoExpo for facilitating this opportunity and for their invaluable support in showcasing Queensland’s finest produce and tourism offerings.

To the Taste of Queensland business delegation – congratulations on a spectacular event. Your passion, innovation and commitment to quality are on full display. Queensland produce is among the best on offer in the world, and you make me so proud to represent our state!

Alongside DemoExpo, I also express gratitude to Trade and Investment Queensland and event partner Tourism and Events Queensland, for helping bring this showcase to life – connecting Queensland directly with Japanese consumers in such a powerful – and delicious – way!

If you haven’t yet had the chance to visit the Australia Pavilion at the World Expo, today’s event brings that experience to you – right here in Osaka Station. Queensland’s bounty is on proud display: from world-class Wagyu beef and tropical rock lobster, to sweet mangoes, coconut yoghurt, Manuka honey, award-winning wines, craft gins, and even lemon myrtle tea and aroma oils.

It is a remarkable showcase – and a rare chance for millions of people to experience the very best of Queensland, right here in the heart of Osaka.

And it doesn’t end here – tomorrow, we continue this journey at Shinsaibashi Parco department store. I would encourage you all to head along there also and explore even more of what Queensland has to offer.

Arigatou Gozaimasu.

Delivered with consecutive interpreting

Konnichiwa. Good afternoon, everyone.

I begin by acknowledging Queensland’s Minister for Primary Industries, the Honourable Tony Perrett MP; Expo 2025 Osaka Deputy Commissioner-General, Ms Lucy Ryan; Trade and Investment Queensland, Senior Commissioner for North Asia at Trade and Investment Queensland, Mr Tak Adachi and Director of Queensland Operations, Mr Tony Burnett; distinguished guests.

It’s a privilege to join you all here at the Australia Pavilion, at Expo 2025 Osaka, on Queensland Day for this special Queensland Day Luncheon.

As Governor of Queensland, Australia, I wish to express my gratitude to you for the warm welcome you have given me, Minister Perrett and our Queensland delegation to Japan.

Today marks the Queensland’s 166th birthday. Queensland Day is an opportunity to celebrate everything great about our state. In keeping with today’s food and beverage theme, I note award-winning Queensland exporter, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, has produced a Queensland Day labelled Ginger Beer, specially designed to mark our state’s 166th birthday.

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks was the 2022 Queensland Exporter of the Year at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards, also winning the Agribusiness, Food and Beverages category in the same year.

Today, back home there are Queensland Day celebrations right across the state – and I thank you all for joining me today to celebrate what makes Queensland such a special place.

I’ve already had the pleasure of experiencing the warm hospitality of the Japanese people during this mission, which has also seen us take the Tastes of Queensland to Tokyo and will inevitably foster greater business opportunities between Queensland and Japan.

Today, it’s wonderful to be in Osaka and to be here at Expo 2025 Osaka. Queensland understands the value of Expo, having hosted Expo 88 and being heavily involved in World Expo Dubai. The event continues to allow us to showcase the best of Queensland and Australia to the world all in the one place.

With a global spotlight on Osaka, Queensland is taking the opportunity to showcase our progressive approach to delivering for Queensland and cultivating valuable opportunities for positive outcomes.

Queensland’s participation in Expo 2025 is a key initiative in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Queensland can learn a tremendous amount from Japan’s experience in hosting major events, including sporting events. We may be rivals on the field of play, but we are united in purpose off the field, and we can work together.

Japan is Queensland’s second largest export destination, driven mainly by coal, LNG and beef, but there is more to it than that.  Suntory Water Plaza, which you can find here at the Expo, is exhibited by Suntory Holdings. Suntory, one of Japan’s largest beverage companies, founded in Osaka, has invested more than $400 million into a Queensland manufacturing facility. Expo 2025 provides a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with all of Queensland’s major trading partners.

Queensland is grateful to be part of this exciting and future-focused Expo, and to share a little slice of Queensland with you today.

Enjoy the Australia Pavilion and enjoy the Expo.

Thank you for celebrating Queensland Day with us.

 Arigatou Gozaimasu.