On Wednesday, 29 November 2023, the Australian Government will issue a formal national apology to all Australians impacted by the Thalidomide Tragedy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will deliver the apology on behalf of the Australian Government, Parliament and the Australian people, in the House of Representatives.

Thalidomide survivors, their family members, carers and supporters will attend the historic apology, followed by a reception in the Great Hall of Parliament House.

I rise to pay tribute to Helena Carr, who passed away suddenly while travelling in Europe with her beloved husband and life partner, Bob.

Helena did not hold public office, but she was held in great respect and esteem by all who knew her.

Among those who gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral in her memory today were Premier Chris Minns, former prime ministers Paul Keating and Malcolm Turnbull, and, fittingly, a host of former premiers. Not least Mike Rann, who flew from Europe to be present.

Given Helena’s modesty, we can only wonder how she might have reacted.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to the United States from 15-17 November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco.

APEC is the leading economic forum for the Asia-Pacific region and APEC partners make up around 75 per cent of Australia’s total trade in goods and services. This year’s Summit will focus on Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella in San Francisco today in the margins of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister announced the Australian Government's decision to explore the safe and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the public service in partnership with Microsoft, through the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA).

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I've just met with the Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella. And it was a constructive meeting, in which I spoke about the $5 billion announcement that's been made, of investment by Microsoft in Australia, the largest investment that they've made in a country like Australia for the entire period that they've been in existence. We spoke also about the cooperation that will occur between Microsoft with the Australian Signals Directorate.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, great to catch up, again, Justin and great to have an informal chat last night. We have economies that are so similar. We have a bit in common as well about our histories and our culture and our values, I think are very similar. We appreciate the fact that you're big investors in Australia as well through your pension funds, big investors in our infrastructure, and there's a huge opportunity as our economies transition. Historically, we've both been very, very much benefited our growth from fossil fuels.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Firstly, can I say, Prime Minister, congratulations on your election. Australia and Thailand have a great friendship and we are working on our strategic partnership that we have in place between our two great countries. We have a good trading relationship as well and a trade agreement. We are important partners, as well. As members of ASEAN we're certainly involved and 50 years, we will celebrate, next year, and I thank you for accepting our invitation to come to Melbourne in March.

From Bega and Bundaberg to Beijing, and the Snowy Mountains and South West Sydney to Shanghai.

I was proud to see our iconic cheese, ginger beer, spirits and cereals alongside products more than 250 Aussie businesses are showcasing to the 350,000 visitors to the world's largest trade event at the China International Import Expo.

From Bulla ice cream made in regional Victoria, lobster from Geraldton in WA, Sanitarium products from the NSW Central Coast and Sydney Beer brewed in Surry Hills, Chinese consumers have an insatiable appetite for our premium Aussie products.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has concluded an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, a significant step forward in stabilising relations between Australia and China.

This visit demonstrated Australia’s commitment to dialogue as the most effective way to deliver our national interests.

In Shanghai, the Prime Minister attended the China International Import Expo to showcase Australia’s world-leading exports.

1. At the invitation of H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, undertook an official visit to China from November 4 to 7, 2023, to mark the 50th anniversary of the first visit to China by an Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Edward Gough Whitlam.
2. During the visit, H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, met Prime Minister Albanese. Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Albanese jointly held talks on 7 November. H.E.