Your Excellency, President José Ramos-Horta.
Your Excellency, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão.
Distinguished guests.
I am deeply humbled to receive this honour.
I give my sincere thanks to you all and to the people of Timor-Leste.
For me, the gift of this Order serves as a testament to the strength and depth of the friendship between our two great nations.
The success and flourishing of Timor-Leste, its democracy and its people, matters deeply to me as Prime Minister of Australia and it matters deeply to the people of Australia that I serve and represent.
Because reflected in each other we find a shared history, and our shared future.
I was first elected to the Australian Parliament in 1996.
At that time, the movement to secure Timor-Leste’s future as a free, proud and independent nation was gaining speed.
Then in 1999, the moment arrived for your nation to choose its own, hopeful path.
As a parliamentarian, I was proud to add to the chorus of Australian voices calling for a peaceful referendum that would lead to a peaceful future for this nation.
I am proud that in 1999, Australia stepped up, reached out our hand to meet yours, and helped to secure that referendum and maintain that peace.
Another person – indeed a future parliamentarian – who stepped up at that time, was Luke Gosling.
Luke is with us today.
Now, he serves as Australia’s Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and Northern Australia.
But from 2005 –2008 Luke served as an Officer in the Australian Defence Force in Timor-Leste.
There is a familiar echo of symmetry to his service.
An example of how so many contributions to public life – both Australian and Timorese – have been shaped by the shared history of our two nations.
Now, in 2026, we look back across more than a quarter century of Timorese independence.
From here, it is clear Timor-Leste has come to fully and wholly inhabit the sense of identity and nationhood that was really always there and that the world came to recognise in 1999.
And seeing this nation take its rightful place in the world and in our region has been a great thing to watch.
But more than that, it is something Australia has long advocated for.
My Government strongly supported Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN as its 11th member.
I was at the ASEAN meeting in Malaysia last year where the formalities took place, and as you said at the time, Prime Minister:
‘Not only is ASEAN membership a dream realised for your people, but it is a powerful affirmation of Timor-Leste’s journey.’
That journey, without a doubt, will continue – and continue to be supported by Australia.
We have had to deal with our differences but as we look from here toward the next quarter century and beyond, I reaffirm wholeheartedly Australia’s commitment to your people and your country.
To the flourishing of this democracy and the proud spirit that underpins it.
Seeking new opportunities for Timorese people and businesses – together.
Improving access to better infrastructure, education and healthcare – together.
Growing trade links and furthering regional prosperity – together.
All in the pursuit of securing a peaceful, stable and economically resilient region where we can all flourish – together.
Thank you again for bestowing on me this immense honour.
I am truly humbled.