30 June 2022
Australia’s Governor-General His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) met President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan Palace, the first Head of State meeting for the new administration. The Governor-General is the highest-level dignitary to attend the inauguration.
The Governor-General’s visit for the presidential inauguration highlights the importance Australia places on its long-standing relationship with the Philippines.
During the meeting, the heads of state discussed the expanding cooperation between Australia and the Philippines in defence, development, trade and people-to-people links.
The leaders also reiterated the two countries’ commitment to peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Following the meeting, the Governor-General said, “I am delighted to be in the Philippines, one of Australia’s closest neigbours, to see the work our countries are doing to elevate our bilateral partnership towards a Strategic Partnership. Our enduring friendship is anchored by our values of mateship and bayanihan.”
