Australia and the European Union are strengthening cooperation through a new Security and Defence Partnership.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the Australia‑European Union Security and Defence Partnership in Canberra today which, together with the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement, is a key aspect of our growing strategic relationship.

After 8 years of negotiations, Australia has secured a landmark trade deal with the European Union, the world’s second largest economy.

The Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement will lower trade and investment barriers between Australia and the European Union – a market of around 450 million people.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Welcome to the President of European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, my friend and your delegation. And you are so welcome here in Australia. And I can't think of a more important time than for you to be here right now, when we are reminded of the importance of friends, engaging economically, socially, and importantly in terms of our personal relations. Here in Australia, of course, many people can trace their origins back to Europe. My name speaks for itself, where that is from, with my Italian heritage. But so many of us can do that.

The Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reaffirmed the strength of the partnership between Australia and the European Union, underpinned by shared democratic values, respect for international law, and people to people, economic, scientific and strategic links. They emphasised that Australia and the European Union are trusted friends, working together to address economic resilience, security, climate change and environmental challenges.

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. 

I am pleased to be back at your annual dinner and to be joined by so many of my parliamentary colleagues. 

This year’s event comes at a testing time for the world - and a pivotal moment for Australia. 

There are two critical challenges confronting us: 

One, we must navigate the global economic storm that the war in Iran has unleashed. 

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Can I welcome you to Australia, Dr Birol. Thank you for your address to the National Press Club, and thank you for your leadership of the IEA. We live in very difficult global times. And the global turbulence, of course, is having an impact right around the world, and it requires a national response. Consistent with the recommendation of the IEA, we have released 20 per cent of our reserves, but we've also undertaken a range of other measures to ensure that we secure supply and also that we deal with distribution issues.

Singapore and Australia are longstanding friends and Comprehensive Strategic Partners. Our prosperity, security, stability and economic future are intertwined – including with our region.  

We share a long-standing and deep relationship grounded in strategic trust, open markets, and rules-based trade which underpin the prosperity and security of our people and our region. Reaffirming these shared principles is essential at this time.

Xin chào.

I want to particularly welcome and acknowledge the veterans of the Vietnamese community. 

You showed such courage in leaving the land of your birth to create a better life and freedom for yourselves, but also for the generations to come. 

And I thank you for your courage, your resilience, and I acknowledge the sacrifice that you have made. 

I come from Sydney, where in my local community of Marrickville, there's a very large Vietnamese Australian community. 

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet, I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Australian food and drinks are the best in the world.

And there’s a reason why the world wants them.

Because our food and beverage industry brings together the best of everything Australian.

Our agriculture and food science, our creativity and drive, our unique Australian tastes and our native flavours.

On behalf of the Australian Government, we pay tribute to Rhoda Roberts AO, a trailblazer in the media and across the creative arts, and fierce advocate for First Nations culture and voices.

For every step Rhoda took during her journey, she took a generation of people with her.

At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, when the world was watching, it was Rhoda’s choreography that took centre stage in the Opening Ceremony.

As creative director of the Awakening segment, she helped share Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures with Australia and the world.