Remarks, State Banquet - Hanoi, Vietnam

PRIME MINISTER: On behalf of my wife Jenny and I and all of our delegation, can I thank you for the incredibly warm and friendly and kind and generous welcome that you've given to us here in Hanoi in Vietnam today. 

 

I spoke today about an Australian word - mateship. I want to talk about another Australian phrase and it relates to Madam Thu and my wife Jenny. And I can say, Prime Minister Phuc, that we are punching well above our weight. 

 

[Laughter]

 

Which means that Madam Thu and Jenny - or Madam Jenny, I should call her - look absolutely beautiful this evening. 

 

[Applause]

 

But I spoke about mateship. I speak of a new relationship between Australia and Vietnam, one that goes to a whole new level of amity between our two countries. And one that speaks to the personal relationship that I sincerely believe, and if you permit me to say, that I think Phuc and I now enjoy.

 

[Applause]

 

We embraced when we met each other today, and that was a sincere embrace. I think it speaks about the strong foundations we have, to see this relationship in every facet go to a whole new level. 

 

But I must say, Prime Minister, as Jenny and I stood on the balcony of Ho Chi Minh’s house today and reflected on the journey since that time, how two countries with such different cultures, such different languages, such different heritages, can be at a point now where we share such a strong friendship and such a shared outlook about the future.It gives me great hope. It gives me great optimism about the region in which we live and the contribution we can both make to the world in which we both live. 

 

We have come a long way and we still have a long way to travel. But I do look forward to making the journey with you. It will be one based on trust and one based - as someone reminded me today about our relationship - one that should be based on a great care shown to each other. 

 

So the spirit of that great care it is for me now to propose a toast also. I invite you to join me in a toast to the health of Prime Minister Phuc and Madam Thu. To the success and prosperity of the Vietnamese people, to the friendship between and I should say the mateship between our two countries and to the health of you all.

 

[Applause]