50th anniversary of Australia-China diplomatic relations

Speech at the official reception to mark the 50th anniversary of Australia-China diplomatic relations Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, Sunday 13 November 2022   Her Excellency, Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson His Execllency, Ambassador Xiao Qian   Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, who I thank for the generous invitation to speak on this…

Details

AIIA National Conference

Australian Institute of International Affairs National Conference Monday 24 October 2022 Canberra, ACT Thank you for the opportunity to be here at the Australian Institute of International Affairs and to address this conference, it really is a pleasure to be here. I begin by recognising the depth of foreign policy expertise assembled here today and…

Details

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Condolence Speech –  Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Australian Senate   Friday, 23rd September 2022   On the death of Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth … we give thanks for her truly remarkable life. Of the countless words describing the life and legacy of…

Details

Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022

5 September 2022 Second Reading – Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022 I rise to join this debate on the Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022, a bill that, across the major parties, is quite rightly a free or conscience vote in its consideration. I rise to join Senator Gallagher in supporting this bill. The bill for…

Details

Mikhail Gorbachev

5 September 2022 Senate Motion – Condolences I rise in support of the motion moved by the Leader of the Government in the Senate and to associate the coalition parties with the words and sentiments expressed by the Leader of the Government in the Senate. There can be no doubt that Mikhail Gorbachev was one…

Details

First anniversary of the fall of Kabul

5 September 2022 Senate Motion – Afghanistan I rise to also speak in support of the motion noting the first anniversary of the fall of Kabul, a motion which I am pleased to co-sponsor with the Leader of the Government in the Senate and Senator Payman, for whom this motion brings extremely personal reflections. I…

Details

Webinar address to American Chamber of Commerce in Australia: National Security and Business Series

Topics: AUKUS: Business opportunities beyond submarines 09/12/2021 10:00AM AEST   Simon Birmingham: It has been an incredibly exciting time in terms of the Australia-US relationship Now, I know the theme that I’ve been throwing today is AUKUS and the business opportunity potential beyond submarines. But I think it is important, firstly to note, the importance…

Details

CFO Live, The Australian Financial Review 2021

Introduction   Thank you Michael Stutchbury, the Editor-in-chief of the Financial Review and to the Fin for hosting this event. I’m so sorry I’m not there with you all in person this morning but I’m thrilled to be joining you. Particularly for CFO Live. CFOs the quiet achievers in successful business organisation right around the…

Details

20th Anniversary Tonkin Dinner Address

Thank you very much, James, and firstly to Peter Tonkin, thank you to you and to your mum Prue and to your siblings, your family, for having shared your Dad with our grateful state. But of course, also for providing this outstanding platform for 20 years now, enabling the Young Liberals to bring together fellow Liberals and…

Details