Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

as this year G20 president. I should acknowledge the work that former Treasurer Peter Costello did to originally convene the G20, and I should also acknowledge the work that former Prime Minister Rudd did to bring the G20 together in its current form.

As well as the G20, Australia will soon host official visits by the leaders of five very important partners: Prime Minister Cameron of Great Britain, our oldest ally and our second largest investor; President Xi of China, our biggest trading partner by far; Prime Minister Modi of India, the world's emerging democratic superpower; Chancellor Merkel of Germany, Europe's strongest economy; and President Hollande of France, where some 46,000 Australians fell during the Great War.

I am sure members opposite will be interested to know that the British, Chinese and Indian leaders will address this parliament on the Friday before and the Monday and Tuesday following the G20. I am sure that I speak for all members of this parliament and all Australians when I say that we do look forward to hosting the visits of these leaders and to strengthening some of our most important international ties.

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