HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE'S ADDRESS AT THE RECEPTION OF WELCOME FOR THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA AND MADAM LINDA HURLEY

• Your Excellency Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley and Your Excellency Mrs. Linda Hurley;
• Your Excellency the Former President, Major-General Jioji Konrote and Mrs. Konrote;
• Honourable Prime Minister and Mrs. Bainimarama;
• Speaker to Parliament and Former President, Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Adi Koila Nailatikau;
• The Hon. Chief Justice;
• Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corp;
• Cabinet Ministers;
• Members of Parliament;
• Distinguished guests;
• Ladies and Gentlemen;

Miau sa bula re and Good Evening to you all

I wish to warmly welcome you all to the State House. It is indeed an honour and privilege for me to host His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley and Her Excellency Linda Hurley on their first-ever State visit to Fiji.

Exactly one month ago today, an introductory call was made to Your Excellency and Madam Hurley and an invitation was extended to Your Excellencies to visit Fiji. Today –– with our nations successfully open to each other –– we meet in person to welcome you. Your Excellency, I wish to convey to you both on behalf of the Fijian Government and people our appreciation for your acceptance of the invitation to visit Fiji. I’m particularly grateful that you’ll be making the trip to Vanua Levu.

Your Excellencies, I wish to make special mention of the commemoration observed in both Australia and Fiji, of the significant contributions of brave Australian and New Zealand service men and women who have served and sacrificed in the line of duty. We acknowledge and honour the ANZAC’s legacy of loyalty, selflessness and courage.

This State visit is another step in the journey from strength to strength for the Fiji and Australia partnership. In 52 years of bilateral relations, our nations have never been closer. And your visit affirms our shared commitment to continue deepening our ties.

The ‘Vuvale Partnership’ has taken the relations between our nations and people to a new level, and I convey our deepest gratitude to Australia for its commitment to elevating its engagement with Fiji. We share a region and a future, and we must stand our best chance at creating a peaceful and open Pacific together.

Your Excellencies, your visit is also special because it signifies our shared struggle and triumph in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. One year ago, this would be impossible. But because we have taken the steps needed to normalize travel between our countries, now you and thousands of other Australians can come to Fiji with ease. Call me biased, but I can’t imagine anywhere better in the world to seek reprieve from the past two years than here in Fiji.

Your Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley and Her Excellency Mrs. Linda Hurley; with your delegation, I wish you great success during your tenure and in all your undertakings as well as longevity and great health. I look forward to hosting you both later in the week in Vanua Levu – the home of my traditional people. We have wonderful memories to make together.

Ladies and gentlemen on that note I propose a toast to our Vuvale Partnership and for continued good health, peace and prosperity - To the Governor- General, the Government and the People of Australia
- BULA!