Speeches
Thursday, 17 October 2024
Australia-Vietnam Policy Institute Inaugural Conference
It is my pleasure to join you today at the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute conference.
I extend a special welcome to all those who have travelled to South Australia to attend this conference.
It’s a testament to the depth of ties between South Australia and Vietnam that Adelaide was chosen as the location for this inaugural conference.
South Australia and Vietnam have long been connected by people, trade, education, and culture and it was my pleasure to make an official visit to Vietnam as Governor in November 2022.
South Australia is home to around 40,000 people of Vietnamese origin – a vibrant diaspora that has contributed much to this state.
Vietnamese South Australians forged early export ties with Vietnam, many of which endure today, and established dynamic cultural and community organisations that remain central to our multicultural society.
South Australians in the audience will be aware that my immediate predecessor as Governor of South Australia, the Honourable Hieu Van Le, was a distinguished Australian of Vietnamese origin.
Hieu Van Le was the first person of Asian origin to be appointed Governor of an Australian state and the first person of Vietnamese origin to be appointed to a vice-regal position anywhere in the world.
His story – like many from across our diaspora communities – is one of achievement. There are, of course, many others.
These stories are the foundation of our State’s thriving relationship with Vietnam.
Today, Vietnam is South Australia’s 8th largest export destination, an important source of international students for our universities, and a popular destination for South Australian tourists.
As noted by speakers this morning, the past two years have borne witness to major milestones in Australia-Vietnam relations.
Last year, Australia and Vietnam celebrated 50-years of diplomatic relations – a remarkable anniversary when you consider how much the relationship has evolved over the last half century.
In March this year, both governments agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
As a former diplomat, I am acutely aware of the significance of this decision.
A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is the highest-level diplomatic agreement.
It is an acknowledgement of Australia and Vietnam’s shared interests, and an agreement that both sides will pursue a deepening of engagement across all aspects of the bilateral relationship.
Today I’d like to focus on one aspect of the CSP – the commitment to strengthen the Australia-Vietnam economic partnership.
As an outward-looking State with an export-driven economy, South Australian businesses have long looked to markets in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, and seen opportunity.
Vietnam is one of the region’s fastest-growing economies.
An increasingly affluent middle-class, competitive manufacturing sector and membership of regional trade agreements combine to make Vietnam an attractive trading partner.
As it should be, Vietnam is ambitious for its future.
It seeks to reach upper-middle-income-status by 2030 and transition to net zero by 2050. Achieving both goals will require major investment spanning infrastructure, green energy, technology, and skills.
Australian businesses, investors, and industry are well placed to partner with Vietnam to help make these ambitions a reality.
The challenge is to build the capability and connections required to seize the opportunities available and remove the barriers – real and perceived – to doing business with Vietnam.
In meeting this challenge, organisations such as the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute (AVPI) have important roles to play.
Since its founding a little over two years ago, the AVPI has established itself as a powerful advocate for the Australia-Vietnam relationship and key contributor to its success.
Its Knowledge Partner network includes South Australian members, contributing to national knowledge sharing and engagement focused on Vietnam.
As today’s conference demonstrates, the AVPI is able to bring together political and business leaders, industry experts and academics for a meaningful exchange on the future of Australia-Vietnam relations.
Looking at those in this room, it’s obvious that there is an enthusiastic community of Australians, including many South Australians, committed to unlocking the potential of this economic partnership.
I commend you on your enthusiasm and commitment and encourage you to channel it to turn words into action.
Pursuing strengthened commercial ties with Vietnam not only makes good economic sense, but it also helps to advance the prosperity and stability of our region. It is a worthy pursuit.
In closing, I congratulate the AVPI, with RMIT University and DFAT as its major sponsors, on hosting this inaugural conference.
I look forward to seeing it become a mainstay of the Australia-Vietnam dialogue.
Please enjoy the remainder of the conference and, for our visitors, your time in Adelaide.