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His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee
Billah, the Crown Prince, has ended his official visit to
Australia. His Royal Highness left Canberra for Bandar Seri
Begawan, Tuesday afternoon.
His Royal Highness earlier on the
day made a call on His Excellency the Right Reverend Dr. Peter
Hollingworth, the Governor-General of Australia, and Her
Excellency Mrs. Ann Hollingworth, at the Government House in
Canberra.
Upon arrival, His Royal Highness
was greeted by Their Excellencies the Governor-General and Mrs.
Hollingworth. After signing the visitors’ book, His Royal
Highness held discussions with His Excellency the Right Reverend
Dr. Peter Hollingworth and Her Excellency Mrs. Ann Hollingworth.
His Royal Highness was then invited to a luncheon given by Their
Excellencies.
At the luncheon, His Royal
Highness delivered a short remark in which His Royal Highness
stated that Brunei Darussalam considered Australia a good
neighbour and a diverse and dynamic country that had contributed
to the development of the Asia-Pacific Region. His Royal
Highness added that Brunei Darussalam and Australia were
long-standing partners in many government and private sector
activities.
His Royal Highness added that
cooperation between the two countries in areas such as
education, training, trade, commerce, defence, security, and
culture was rapidly increasing every year. His Royal Highness
particularly hoped that the future would see both countries
becoming closer.
In the morning, His Royal Highness
called on His Excellency Alexander Downer, Australia’s Minister
of Foreign Affairs, at the Parliament House. During the
meeting, His Royal Highness and the Australian Foreign Minister
took note of the close relations between Brunei Darussalam and
Australia, especially in the areas of trade and investment, and
education and defence. They stated that the open and sincere
relationship between the two countries serves as a strong
foundation upon which further cooperation could be built. |
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Prior to the meeting, His Royal
Highness visited the Australian Institute of Sport, AIS, and the
Australian Sports Commission. On arrival, His Royal Highness
was met by the Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Mr.
Mark Peters and the Director of the institute, Mr. Michael
Scott. His Royal Highness then proceeded to the Institute’s
Indoor Synthetic Pitch to view a soccer training session. His
Royal Highness was then led to the Sports Science and Medicine
Building.
On arrival there, His Royal
Highness was welcomed by the Assistant Director of the
institute, Mr. Peter Fricker, and the Manager of the institute’s
Performance Analysis Unit, Mr. Keith Lyons. His Royal Highness
then toured the Biomechanics Laboratory. After the tour, His
Royal Highness was briefed on the role of the institute and
commission.
His Royal Highness departed from
Canberra for Bandar Seri Begawan Tuesday afternoon, marking the
end of his official visit to Australia.
Present at the Royal Australian
Air Force Base in Fairbairn to bid farewell to His Royal
Highness were the Commanding Officer of the Combat Support Unit,
Wing Commander Dave Thompson; the Assistant Secretary at the
Ceremonial and Hospitality Branch of the Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet, Ms. Julie Yeend; and the Official
Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia, Mr. Martin
Bonsey. Also present at the Fairbairn Air Force Base were
Brunei Darussalam’s High Commissioner to Australia and officials
from the High Commission.
His Royal Highness was in
Australia upon the invitation of His Excellency, the Right
Reverend Dr. Peter Hollingworth, the Governor-General of
Australia.
It was His Royal Highness’ first
official visit to Australia. The visit indicated the growing
close relations between the two countries, marking another
milestone in their relations.
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