Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) | Link to this | Hansard source

It was my great pleasure this morning to welcome to parliament house His Excellency the General Secretary and President of Vietnam, Tô Lâm. General Secretary Lâm's visit is further affirmation of the strength of the bonds between our two nations. His Excellency will also meet with the Leader of the Opposition this afternoon, showing the bipartisanship that is in the relationship between Australia and Vietnam. As one of the fastest growing economies in our region, Vietnam's success creates opportunities for both of our countries. Our trade relationship is stronger than ever, supporting jobs and businesses in both Australia and Vietnam.

As part of His Excellency's visit to Australia, he will meet with the architects of the South East Asia economic strategy to 2040, including Nicholas Moore. This is important. More than a document, this is a blueprint for Australia benefiting from jobs and increased trade in the fastest growing region of the world in human history, which is of course the Asian region to our north. We want to build on the success that has come from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Today we welcomed and signed agreements for stronger cooperation across defence, maritime and border security, the digital economy, agriculture, energy, minerals, and science and innovation.

Australia and Vietnam are trusted strategic partners, and the relationship between us will be further enhanced by increased exchanges both at senior levels between people in business and politics but importantly from general members of the population as well. The fact that Vietjet have chosen the president's visit to announce that it is now the third international airline that will take off from Western Sydney Airport when it opens will provide real opportunities for increased exchanges. Above all, of course, we are close friends and will work together for a better future, including working in forums such as ASEAN and APEC in the coming months.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the coalition and the federal opposition, I warmly welcome His Excellency and the Vietnamese delegation to our parliament. This is a symbolic visit, but it's also a visit with practical outcomes. The coalition welcomes the deeper collaboration between Australia and Vietnam as a consequence of this historic visit. I was proud to be part of the former coalition government that elevated our two nations' bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership in 2018 and in 2021 finalised an economic strategy to boost trade and investment between Australia and Vietnam. These inroads were the foundation for forging a stronger friendship between our two countries.

In April last year in Ho Chi Minh City, His Excellency spoke profoundly about Vietnam being a nation that has endured profound suffering and loss from the ravages of war. It is one that has reaped the great rewards of peace, cooperation and friendship over recent decades. He spoke about his hope of bequeathing to future generations a better world. He spoke about the values of peace, independence and freedom. Australia shares these ambitions and values too, and I'm sure, like Australia, he was deeply concerned about China's recent test launch of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile in the Pacific. As he correctly acknowledged at the Shangri-La Dialogue, no country benefits when our region becomes a theatre for coercion, confrontation or displays of power. And so we welcome all nations of our region calling out and condemning acts of coercion and aggression whatever the source. For countries like ours, enhancing our partnerships sends a strong message about the importance we place on sovereignty and collective security.

Next week marks the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Can I also take this opportunity to acknowledge our two countries Vietnam veterans. From the battlefield to bonds of friendship, Australia and Vietnam have come a long way over many decades. His Excellency and the delegation are most welcome guests in our country.