THE MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT, PRODUCTIVITY, INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND YOUTH AND SPORTS
HONOURABLE PRAVEEN KUMAR BALA

 Friday 18th January 2019 at 8.30a.m

Honourable Prime Ministers,

Mrs Morrison,

Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bula Vinaka and Good Morning to you all.
It is indeed a privilege to be present here this morning to welcome the Honourable Prime Minister of Australia Mr Scott Morrison and his lovely wife Mrs Morrison.

This visit carries significant importance for our country in the field of sports. Our relationship with Australia has been strong with many of our players gracing the rugby field of their adopted country.

Players like Suliasi Vunivalu, Akuila Uate, Lote Tuqiri and Petero Civoniceva who is also present here this morning are examples of Fiji products that represented Australia.

This visit also marks the strengthening not only of our bilateral ties with Australia but also our sporting relations, by engaging our current rugby league stars and opportunities for future rugby league players and a new pathway for future international engagement.

In presenting the Honourable Prime Minister with a Fiji Bati jersey, signifies our commitment and broadening of our sporting relationship with Australia.

We’re thankful to your government for this kind gesture which means a lot to our Fiji Rugby League community. We’re also thankful in advance for the other sporting assistance that your government will offer to our country. I’m also told that Australia will also assist the Fiji Netball Team in its preparation to the Netball World Cup in UK and for this we’re thankful.

On behalf of the government of Fiji and the sporting communities I wish you all the best in your term as Prime Minister of Australia and looking forward to working closely with your government and sporting institutions.
Vinaka vakalevu.