07/07/2026
Last week I had the pleasure in my capacity as Acting President of National Federation of Australia Japan Societiesto co-host a Gala Dinner, with the Australia Japan Co-operation Committee.(AJBCC). It was 7 months in the making and it was magic to see it all come to fruition.
During the Dinner, we were honoured to receive warm video messages of support for the relationship from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae of Japan; and to hear heartfelt speeches from Foreign Minister Senator The Hon Penny Wong and Mr Horii Iwao, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan. They spoke to the core of the Treaty, which still remains, Friendship and Cooperation.
We were pleased to see the strong bipartisan nature of attendance the political level, including the President of the Senate, Hon Senator Sue Lines and the Deputy President, Slade Brockman , The Treasurer the Hon Jim Chalmers MP, Trade Minister Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia the Hon Madeleine King, Shadow Foreign Minister the Hon Ted O'Brien MP MP, representing the leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Nationals, Hon Matthew Canavan, and Senator the Hon Susan McDonald, Shadow Minister for Resources, as well as a multitude of senior members of both Chambers from across the political spectrum, the Australian and Japanese Ambassadors Andrew Shearer and Kazuhiro SUZUKI, and a large array of people who have contributed to all aspects of the bilateral relationship over decades.
It was an extremely uplifting evening with the brilliant sounds of Bryon Taiko together with Australian Shakuhachi Player Anne Norman 尺八 アン・ノーマン and the wonderful Japanese Didgeridoo player Sanshi. Melanie Brock, with her usual skilfulness, conducted a grassroots interview with Adam Liaw, which had us all wanting more of the stories that have contributed to the last 50 years.
It was a pleasure to work with the team at Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (AJBCC) in bringing the vision to life and to celebrate 50 years of the NARA Treaty. I in particular would like to thank our Event Partner the Australia-Japan Foundation(itself celebrating its 50th Anniversary), our platinum sponsors Chevron Australia, INPEX Corporation, JERA Australia, Mitsubishi Australia Ltd Australia Ltd, Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd. TAL Australia, Tivan Limited, and Woodside Energy, and gold sponsors, Gilbert + Tobin, Hancock Iron Ore, Marubeni Corporation, M Resources, MUFG, Port of Newcastle, and all our supporting partners all for their attendance and most of all for their support for the great partnership between Australia and Japan.
