Breakfast in Honour of Visiting Heads of Mission and Heads of Post

Good morning everyone. It is a great honour to welcome Fernberg this morning Australian Heads of Mission and Heads of Post, and senior representatives of trade bodies.

Today we centrally acknowledge the important work of Australia’s plenipotentiaries in advancing our nation’s interests overseas.

To the Ambassadors and High Commissioners here this morning, and to Australia’s Consul-General in China: I hope you enjoy the chance over the next few days to visit (and in many cases, reacquaint yourselves) with our regional Queensland cities.

I know you will be impressed by the depth and sophistication of Queensland’s industries and businesses, and their willingness to innovate and engage with international markets.

In turn, community and industry leaders will be keen learn more about how your work benefits all Australians, particularly in strengthening trade and cultural ties.      

I especially want to commend High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Consul General, DFAT, Trade and Investment Queensland and Brisbane City Council staff for the important work they do in mission planning.

You readily do this for the Prime Minister and Premiers, Ministers, Lord Mayors, trade delegations and visiting cultural and sporting ambassadors.

It is an important incident of our Federation that each State maintains a Governor appointed directly by our Head of State, Her Majesty The Queen.

Sitting outside the political sphere, State Governors are uniquely placed to promote the enduring economic, cultural and community links between the Australian States and nations.

Kaye and I have been highly impressed wherever we have travelled by the careful and thoughtful programmes in advancement of Queensland’s interests developed by your agencies.

Please, enjoy this historic occasion. I hope you use your time in Queensland to reaffirm and build new connections which will add greater depth and substance to the important work you do. Thank you.