Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to the MIKTA Speakers' Consultation 2025 and the bilateral visit to Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 10 to 13 November 2025, and I seek leave to make a short statement in connection with the report.

Leave granted.

I rise to table the report of Australia's participation in the MIKTA Speakers' Consultation and our associated bilateral visit to the Republic of Korea. In Seoul, the speakers consultation provided a valuable forum for dialogue between like-minded countries and reinforced the role of middle powers in supporting sustainability, stability, rules based cooperation and regional resilience. Complementing this, our bilateral engagements allowed for more targeted discussions on shared strategic priorities. These included security, economic cooperation, energy transition and the governance of emerging technologies.

From my perspective as both a parliamentarian and a clinician, these conversations are not abstract. They are about the systems that underpin the safety, health and prosperity of our communities at home. I sincerely thank my fellow delegates President of the Senate, the Hon. Sue Lines, Senator Kerrynne Liddle and the member for Melbourne for their professionalism and constructive engagement throughout the Republic of Korea visit. I also acknowledge the Department of the Senate—including the delegation secretary, Ms Rachel Callinan—for their exceptional support in facilitating this delegation.

Finally, I extend my sincere appreciation to the officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and to the Australian embassy staff in Seoul, whose expertise, preparation and on-the-ground coordination were instrumental to the success of both the consultation and the bilateral program. This report reflects the importance of sustained parliamentary diplomacy and meaningful international partnership. I commend this report to the House.