Dinner for the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations

CEO of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, Mr Gary Cowan, Directors-General, Associate and Deputy Directors-General and senior representatives of Queensland Government agencies, DFAT and Trade and Investment Queensland leaders, Senior Fellow of The Lowy Institute, Mr Richard McGregor, good evening and a very warm welcome to Government House.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Graeme and I are delighted to welcome you to Government House for tonight’s special dinner, which brings together a distinguished group of people, who are dedicated to serving our state and country.

I particularly welcome our interstate guests from the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and The Lowy Institute, whose valuable expertise and experience are crucial to promoting greater bilaterial understanding, and more successful interactions with China.

Over the next two days, the workshops being delivered by the Foundation are designed to inform and stimulate discussion—imparting knowledge and insights that will enable attendees to be better equipped to take advantage of diverse opportunities across a range of sectors.

Pivotal to this, is engaging the Chinese-Australian community, whose unique position— straddling two cultures—and vibrant contributions to our business, trade and investment arenas, enhance our capacity to advance cooperation and form fruitful partnerships.

In Queensland, this local community is passionate and active and having recently attended a number of Chinese New Year celebrations, I know how proud the Chinese are of their culture, traditions and heritage, and also how committed they are to encouraging innovative, mutually beneficial initiatives.

Australia already enjoys strong people-to-people ties with China, built on a two-centuries-long connection in trade and enterprise that goes back to the beginning of European and Chinese settlement here…and we also share a vision for a prosperous future, even in the face of complex known—and unknowable—challenges.

Yet, in a world that is ever more unpredictable and fast-paced, such cross-cultural understanding becomes even more necessary.

I therefore thank the Foundation’s CEO, Mr Gary Cowan, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet, for bringing this important national workshop to Brisbane, and all those involved who are delivering their expertise.

I hope you enjoy your time in our city, and before we enjoy some of Queensland’s finest produce expertly prepared by our Chefs here at Government House, I’d like to invite Gary to say a few words and set the tone for our discussions this evening.

Thank you.