I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the chamber of a parliamentary delegation from the National Diet of Japan, led by His Excellency Mr Sekiguchi, President of the Senate. On behalf of all senators, I wish you a warm welcome to Australia and, in particular, the Senate. With the concurrence of honourable senators, I invite President Sekiguchi to take a seat on the floor of the Senate.

Honourable senators: Hear, hear!

Mr Sekiguchi was seated accordingly.

by leave—on behalf of the government, I welcome His Excellency, the President of the Senate, President Sekiguchi, and his distinguished delegation. We welcome you to Australia. We, again, reiterate our commitment to our partnership and our friendship. If I may say also, the ambassador who is here is an outstanding representative of his country and a very good friend of Australia.