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.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

To your association’s president, Ms Bihong Wang, to the many state and federal parliamentarians and other elected and consular representatives here tonight, including Gabriel Ng and Carina Garland, and to the award judges, sponsors, finalists and winners, thank you so much for that warm welcome.

Last year I was able to attend your Box Hill Chinese Lunar New Year Festival and was struck by your amazing community spirit.

I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has appointed Mr Simon Draper PSM as Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

Mr Draper brings extensive public sector experience to the role, currently serving as Secretary of the New South Wales Premier’s Department.

Prior to this, Mr Draper held senior leadership positions including CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority, CEO of Infrastructure NSW, and Secretary of the NSW Department of Industry. 

He also has experience working across the infrastructure, utility and energy sectors.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the 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, on his visit to Australia from 9 to 12 August 2026.

The leaders will meet for the first time in Canberra on Tuesday 11 August 2026 to discuss opportunities to deepen cooperation.

Australia and Vietnam are close regional partners with a longstanding friendship.