25 January 2012. Remarks by His Excellency Mr Thomas Roth, Australian
High Commissioner to Tonga at the Australia Day Reception held at the
official Residence in Nuku'alofa. Your Majesty
Nobles of the realm
Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano and Ministers of the Crown
Your Excellencies, the Ambassador of Japan, High Commissioner of New Zealand, and Ambassador of the People's Republic of China
Friends of Australia
Fellow Australians.
My wife, Christiane, and I are delighted to welcome you to this celebration of Australia Day 2012, which falls tomorrow on the 26 January.
I particularly want to thank Your Majesty for being the guest of honour at this event.
During this formal part of the celebrations I will make some remarks and then propose a toast to His Majesty the King. That will be followed by the playing of the National Anthem of Tonga.
I will then invite the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lord Tu'ivakano, to make some remarks and propose a toast to Australia. That will be followed by the playing of the National Anthem of Australia.
Your Majesty and distinguished guests
Some of you may recall that at last year's Australia Day reception I boldly mentioned that Tonga and Australia shared a common interest in doing well at the Rugby World Cup. After the Wallabies' performance in New Zealand, I have decided not to mention sport in my remarks this evening.
Rather, I would like to offer some impressions of my first year as Australia's 14th High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Tonga and to highlight some shared opportunities in the year ahead.
2011 was a year of significant accomplishments and milestones between our two countries.
It saw the successful State visit to Tonga by the Governor-General of Australia, HE Ms Quentin Bryce, for His Majesty's birthday celebrations.
In addition, there were several senior political visits from Australia, including from the President of the Australian Senate, Senator John Hogg, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, the Honourable Richard Marles.
For our part, the Australian government was pleased to welcome Lord Tu'ivakano on his first visit to Australia as Prime Minister of Tonga last August. Several cabinet ministers also visited Australia to pursue important policy interests.
There were also numerous exchanges between our respective government officials, business people and community leaders. These further solidified our partnership in such complex areas as addressing the impact of climate change and improving budgetary and financial management practices.
One of the most impressive visits, I believe, was by a team of Australian doctors, nurses and other professionals who donated two weeks of their time and expertise to perform 28 open-heart surgeries on Tongan (and other Pacific island) patients at Vaiola hospital.
That visit literally went to the heart of Australia-Tonga relations, which is all about two close Pacific neighbours and friends working together and supporting each other.
This year, 2012, marks the 42th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, which have strengthened and matured, between our two countries since 1970.
Australia works closely with Tonga through an effective development cooperation program valued at A$32.1 million in 2011-12. It focuses on the agreed priorities of delivering basic services in health and education, strengthening economic management and addressing infrastructure needs.
We are also partners in the significant fields of police development, maritime security, and natural resource issues. Australia was pleased to complete the mid-life extension program for the last of Tonga's Pacific Patrol Boats, VOEA SAVEA, last year.
The deployment of Tongan Defence Service personnel to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and in Afghanistan attests to Tonga's valuable regional and international engagement.
Australia's new Defence Attaché, Commander Peter Steel, who arrived just last night, will be actively engaged on these vital issues.
Looking ahead, 2012 will no doubt throw up some unexpected challenges and opportunities. Australia will work with Tonga, where we can, to address any hurdles which arise and take advantage of available opportunities.
One noteworthy development is the expanded Seasonal Worker Program, which the Australian government announced late last year. We anticipate that it will deliver significant benefits for Tongan workers and their communities on the one hand, and Australian employers on the other.
We also look forward to boosting health and development outcomes through our ongoing program of refurbishing community health centres under the Australian Aid program.
But what do these issues have to do with Australia Day 2012?
In a recent speech, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce, described how we Australians celebrate our National Day at picnics, concerts, barbeques, and catching up with each other.
She said: "That's what community engagement is all about, and it's a precious commodity. It helps us to listen and learn from each other, to understand each other better; share ideas, experiences, good stories, hopes and aspirations."
That, my friends, is why we - Australians and Tongans - are here together this evening.
On this Australia Day I would like to thank the government and people of Tonga for your friendship and cooperation over the past year.
And I offer Australia's commitment to further strengthen our partnership with you by listening and learning, better understanding, and sharing ideas, hopes and aspirations to make 2012 a very successful year.
Your Majesty and distinguished guests:
Too-ah Oh-fah Aye-key Ah-too (Tua ‘ofa ‘Eiki Atu)
Please raise your glasses. I propose a toast to the health and prosperity of His Majesty King George Tupou V and to the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.
"His Majesty".
>>> VIEW Australian Day Photo Album HERE
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Authorized by the: Australian High Commission, Nuku'alofa, 2012.
