It is an incredible honour for me to be here today in the Sydney Opera House to celebrate the life of Richard Scolyer AO.

United within the walls of one great national treasure to celebrate the life of another national treasure. And what a truly remarkable life it was.

In the great constellation of the Australian story, Richard was without question one of our bright stars.

A medical revolutionary in the service of humanity.

A man of courage, curiosity, generosity and kindness.

A man grounded in the love of his family.

The Albanese Labor Government is strengthening skills and training for Australians – with Free TAFE enrolments surging past 800,000.

Since the Government established Free TAFE in 2023 there have been more than 814,000 course enrolments, with strong growth in enrolment and course completion numbers across the country in qualifications that are building the numbers of skilled workers in priority industries – including nursing, aged care, construction, cyber security and early childhood education.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Well, Prime Minister Modi, welcome back to the sacred turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The birthplace of Test cricket, the home of Australian Rules Football, and the scene of so many famous contests between Australia and India. Just two years ago, Australian and Indian fans broke an attendance record that was 90 years old. Over five days, 370,000 people came through these gates to watch the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series. That is the passion and the respect between our rivalry.

Australia and India have committed to expanding sports cooperation, a shared passion and rapidly growing economic opportunity for both nations. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India, met in Melbourne today and announced that the opening Australian Men’s Big Bash League match will take place in Chennai in December this year.

This will be the first foreign cricket league to play in India.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

Prime Minister Modi, my friend, welcome to marvellous Melbourne.

As a true friend of Australia, and a very dear friend of mine, it is an honour to host you this evening.

I also welcome each and every one of you out there in the stands. 

Over the years, this stadium has seen some loud and legendary events – and none more significant than this.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Can I begin by welcoming Prime Minister Modi and his delegation here in Melbourne. Prime Minister Modi, you are a true friend of Australia and it has been a great honour to host you for our Annual Leaders Summit today. Australia and India are close partners and even closer friends. Six years into our comprehensive strategic partnership, Australia's relationship with India has never been more consequential than it is today. Our partnership has never been stronger.

The Australian Government is deepening cultural cooperation with India, building on our strong relationship and people-to-people links.

Prime Minister Albanese has welcomed progress to repatriate an Australian First Nations ancestor held in the Government Museum of Chennai.

The ancestor will be voluntarily and unconditionally repatriated by India to their Traditional Custodians.

Australia and India are committed to unlocking the full potential of our relationship by investing in education, science and technology.  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India welcomed signature of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership, driving trilateral cooperation with Canada on critical and emerging technologies. 

Australia and India are working together to strengthen cooperation on energy security and supply chain resilience.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India welcomed the Joint Statement on Energy Security today in Melbourne.

Australia and India will strengthen cooperation on defence and security to support our shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India met in Melbourne today and announced a series of outcomes to elevate our ambitious defence and security cooperation.