Thank you so much, Prime Minister, for not just that wonderful speech, but your very warm welcome here in Vanuatu.
To the Deputy Prime Minister, to the members of the Council of Ministers, to Members of Parliament who've joined us here as well
To members of the diplomatic corps, including my High Commissioner.
Distinguished guests, friends, one and all, it is indeed an absolute pleasure to be here in Vanuatu, and today I've had the pleasure of meeting with his Excellency, the President, with Prime Minister Napat and his Council of Ministers, to discuss ways in which we can keep strengthening the relationship between our two countries.
Over the past six months, our ministers and officials have had constructive discussions on how we can take our partnership up to the next level.
And one of those steps, I was rather envious I missed out on, the journey which our ministers took together to the top of Mount Yasur just last month.
But of course, this is not my first trip to Vanuatu. In 1986 I was obviously a very young man when I came and stayed at this wonderful resort for two weeks.
Life was simpler then, my only task was to swim in the lagoon and to enjoy the wonderful hospitality of Ni-Vanuatu. And I did, indeed.
Indeed, it is such a friendly place, and everyone I've met in this hotel this afternoon is an Australian - so there's still a very large tourism agenda here.
Now it did mean a great deal to my colleagues and to Australia that Vanuatu chose a place of such deep spirituality, custom and meaning.
When I went to that volcano myself in 1986 on a day trip from here around Tanna, it was a memorable experience on my first ever trip from Australia. One day, I'm going to pack my hiking boots and get up there again.
But for now, don't quite have time, and I and the Prime Minister will be travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow to participate in the Pacific Island forum that is so important.
That is like a family reunion, a family gathering of all the nations that make up this wonderful blue continent, our Pacific Ocean.
It is so important.
Pacific, of course, derives its name from peace, and one of the things that we all strive for and we will be working towards over the next days in the Solomons is for advancing peace and security in the region.
For now, I'm certainly thrilled to be here in Port Villa.
Today we have made progress towards the important vision of elevating our bilateral relationship to new heights in the spirit of a Nakamal - a place of deep significance in Vanuatu culture, a place to meet and come together.
The vision we've been working towards should encapsulate, one, of course, respect for one another, the values that we share and our deep connections of faith, family and community.
It is also coming together of our aspirations, importantly for the future, peace, stability and prosperity in the region. For our peoples, for our economies, for our region.
Here in the Pacific, of course, we look out for each other. We always have.
Australia will be here with Vanuatu in good times and in difficult times, as we were after the earthquake just last December.
We established a consulate here in 1978, two years before independence, anticipating it.
A sign of solidarity, a signal of belief in your people's forging of your own path, and our support for Vanuatu sovereignty has never wavered, not then and not now.
In the time since we've only grown closer.
Today, Australia is proud to be Vanuatu’s largest economic development, security and humanitarian partner.
We want to further elevate our partnership by committing to new actions that will lay fresh foundations, delivering practical people focused outcomes.
As the Prime Minister has said so eloquently, a change that's about transformation, not transaction. And I think that is a really clear way of advancing what both of our nations think about the agreement that we hope to finalise and which has already been initialled and agreed to in principle.
Delivering practical, people focused outcomes that are built to last.
Whether that means working together to drive the energy transition, helping the police and justice agencies expand in reach and capability, developing our labour mobility and visitor arrangements with Vanuatu or always standing by each other's side when disasters strike.
It also means facilitating linkages between our private sectors, bringing more investment and business opportunities to Vanuatu, while at the same time helping with the training that gives young Ni-Vanuatu the skills and experience they need to achieve their dreams.
We'll also continue to focus on the people and cultural links that are the heart and soul of our relationship.
And on that note, it's a pleasure to be sharing this stage with King Stingray, who you'll hear from soon as well - a great Australian band.
When we learned from our terrific first High Commissioner, Max, that King Stingray would be in town for the Fest'Napuan. We asked him if they'd accept another gig, and fortunately for us, they said yes, and I thank you for it.
Last time I saw this band was in the Enmore theatre. Now the Enmore theatre is close to my heart, it’s in my electorate, but I reckon this is a better view and a better location, I've got to say. You can't swim in the Enmore theatre.
Fortunately for us, we look forward to that – a wonderful celebration and a powerful symbol. Australia and Vanuatu in harmony together.
Tugeta yumi stanap. Thank you very much.