Welcome Remarks by President S R Nathan at the State Banquet hosted in honour of Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Your Excellency Quentin Bryce,
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Mr Michael Bryce
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

 
1        Let me extend a warm welcome to Governor-General Bryce and members of her delegation.  We are delighted that you have made time to visit Singapore on your maiden overseas trip.  My wife and I would like to wish you and the members of your delegation a pleasant and memorable stay in Singapore.

2        Your Excellency, before assuming the high office of Governor-General you have worn many hats – lawyer, academic and human rights advocate, and Governor of Queensland – just to name a few.  You have been a trailblazer in many ways, particularly in the women’s movement.  This year, you made history by becoming the first female Governor-General of Australia.  I must say that in you, Australia has a distinguished and personable leader, who is in touch with the people.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

3        During our discussions this morning, we reaffirmed our strong bilateral relations and touched on our multi-faceted bilateral cooperation.  Our two countries enjoy a longstanding partnership and genuine friendship.  During the Second World War, many Australian soldiers sacrificed their lives in the defence of Singapore; many were incarcerated in Changi.  When Singapore gained independence in 1965, Australia was among the first to recognise us.  Over the years, our relationship has grown both in breadth and depth, underpinned by shared strategic perspectives and interests.  Allow me to cite a few examples.  Our two countries uphold an open and free international trading system.  We both regard the US presence as being vital to the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.  We are also both convinced that the peaceful growth of China and India are positive for the region and the world.

4        A key aspect of our bilateral cooperation is in the area of defence.  Singapore and Australia have been partners in the Five Power Defence Arrangements since 1971.  Our armed forces have an excellent working relationship honed through many joint exercises and training courses.  The Singapore Armed Forces trains regularly in facilities such as Shoalwater Bay Training Area and the Oakey Aviation Centre in Queensland, and RAAF Pearce Base in Western Australia.  During Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s visit here in August, we brought our defence partnership to yet another level when the two Prime Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Defence Cooperation.  I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere   appreciation to the Australian Government and people for the generous training facilities which have been extended to the Singapore Armed Forces.  I am happy to hear that our servicemen and women are welcomed by the local communities, and have contributed to better understanding between our two armed forces as well as the peoples of our two countries.

5        One example of our excellent defence cooperation is the deployment of a Singapore Armed Forces medical team to work together with the Australian Defence Force in Oruzgan province for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.  This marks a further step in our defence partnership, following our cooperation in East Timor.

6        In the economic field, our bilateral trade has flourished, particularly since the implementation of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement in July 2003.  Last year, Singapore was Australia’s fifth largest trading partner and seventh largest foreign investor.  For the first nine months this year, our bilateral trade amounted to almost S$21 billion, a one-third increase over the same period last year.  There is tremendous potential to further expand our economic relations.

7        Singapore and Australia also enjoy excellent people-to-people ties.  In the early years of Singapore’s independence, many of our outstanding young people studied in Australia on Colombo Plan scholarships.  There are now four Cabinet Ministers (including the Minister-in-Attendance Dr Lee Boon Yang) and several Members of Parliament and senior civil servants who are alumni of Australian universities.  Many Singaporeans continue to choose Australia for their tertiary and post-graduate studies.  On our part, we hope to see more Australians study in our educational institutions as such ties form a vital bridge between our countries.  The recent opening of Curtin University in Singapore is further testament to the strong educational and people-to-people ties that our two countries share.

Your Excellency,

8        We in Singapore regard Australia as a close friend and strategic partner.  We have always supported Australia’s active engage­ment in our region because we believe that Australia is part of the region and has important contributions to make to regional stability and our common prosperity.  I am happy to see that Singapore and Australia cooperate closely in regional fora such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, East Asia Summit and APEC.  Australia’s swift and generous response to humanitarian relief efforts in the region demonstrates Australia’s strong commitment to the region.

9        Your Excellency Governor-General Bryce, let me again say how delighted we are that you are visiting Singapore.  During your short visit, we hope not only to showcase and celebrate our warm bilateral ties but also provide the opportunity for you to sample a little slice of Singapore.  You will be visiting a typical Singapore family living in Toa Payoh after our lunch.  Both Australia and Singapore are vibrant, multicultural nations.  Singapore is also glad to be home to more than 10,000 Australians who have added to the colour and diversity of our population.  Likewise, more than 40,000 Singaporeans live and work in Australia.

10      I would like to add that besides our strong people-to-people ties, the relationship between our leaders through the years has remained warm and strong.  We welcome the continued interactions between our peoples and leaders as this will build stronger ties and enhance understanding between our two countries.  Your visit today will no doubt further contribute to nurturing this important relationship.

Distinguished guests,

11     It gives me great pleasure to invite all present to rise and join me in a toast:

•        to the good health and success of Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce; and

•        to the enduring friendship between our two countries and peoples.

            Thank you.