ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: It is my great pleasure to welcome the General Secretary and State President of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, in what is his first official visit to Australia. Australia and Vietnam are close friends and trusted strategic partners. Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in our region. Its success creates opportunities for both of our countries, and our trade relationship is stronger than ever.

Australia and Vietnam have agreed to bolster defence and security cooperation to support our shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, His Excellency Mr To Lam issued the Joint Statement on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and Vietnam, reinforcing cooperation on shared priorities including defence and security.

Australia and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen cooperation across education, trade and innovation, to enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, His Excellency Mr To Lam issued a Joint Statement on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and Vietnam on priorities including economic engagement, climate, energy and science.

TÔ LÂM, GENERAL SECRETARY AND PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM: The Honourable Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, I am much delighted to return to the beautiful country of Australia on this state visit. I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to the leaders and people of Australia and you personally for the warm welcome extended to me and the high-level delegation of Vietnam.

1. On the occasion of the visit to Australia by His Excellency To Lam,

1. On the occasion of the visit to Australia by His Excellency To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and State President of Viet Nam, the Leaders of Viet Nam and Australia agreed and committed to deepening cooperation on economic resilience, pursuant to our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
2. Leaders affirmed that economic resilience is foundational to national security and prosperity. It is a key pillar of our shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where sovereignty is respected.

1. On the occasion of his visit to Australia, His Excellency To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and State President of Viet Nam, met the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, the Prime Minister of Australia in Canberra, on the traditional land of the Ngunnawal peoples.
2. Leaders reaffirmed the strength of the Viet Nam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) built on mutual strategic trust and understanding over more than 50 years.

I congratulate Melissa Donnelly on her appointment to the position of Secretary-elect of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. 

Melissa will assume the Secretary role at the end of August after seven successful years leading and growing the Community and Public Sector Union.

Melissa will step into the role replacing the outgoing Sally McManus, who leaves the job with the gratitude and well-wishes of the entire Australian labour movement.  

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I hope everyone got a few days off. I got a few days off in beautiful Tasmania last week. So, thank you to Caucus members and Ministers for leaving me alone for a few days. It was good to have a break and to celebrate Jodie's first birthday with us as a married couple as well. 

Direct flights from Western Sydney to South East Asia are on the way, with Vietjet signing on to fly from the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI).

Taking off in January 2027, Vietjet will operate twice weekly to Ho Chi Minh City, increasing to three times weekly in March. The new services will be operated by Vietjet’s A330 fleet, with each plane carrying up to 377 passengers.

From November 2027, Vietjet Thailand plans to start fourweekly services from Badgerys Creek to Bangkok. The new services are subject to regulatory approvals.