December 3, 2023
Retired General David Hurley has been sworn in as Australia’s 27th Governor-General.
The ceremony to install Hurley in place of Sir Peter Cosgrove took place in the Senate chamber at Parliament House.
Hurley, 65, was the 38th Governor of New South Wales from 2014 to 2019.
Listen to the swearing-in ceremony (16m):
Watch the swearing-in ceremony (16m):
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has delivered a major speech on foreign policy, emphasising the important of the rule-based trading system and free trade.
Morrison emphasised Australia’s willingness to engage in the Indo-Pacific region. He stressed the importance of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), whilst maintaining the relevance of the Australia, New Zealand, United States (ANZUS) alliance.
Morrison warned of “gathering clouds in the global economy”. He said a worsening trading relationship between China and the United States “is not inevitable”.
“We embrace free trade, global engagement and an international system where we agree rules, stick to them and honour our commitments,” Morrison said.
Watch Morrison’s speech (34m):
Listen to Morrison (34m):
Transcript of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s “Where We Live” Address to Asialink-Bloomberg.
PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON: Thank you to Asialink and Bloomberg for the opportunity to address you here today prior to my attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Osaka this weekend.
Today I want to talk about our plan to foster an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific, consistent with our national interests.
I would like to set out the principles, consistent with our national values, that will guide my Government’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
The Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, has issued a proclamation summoning the 46th Parliament to convene on July 2.
The proclamation was issued on the advice of the prime minister, Scott Morrison, in accordance with the Governor-General’s power under Section 5 of the Constitution.
The first day of the new parliament will be largely ceremonial. All 151 members of the House of Representatives will be sworn in, as will the 40 senators elected on May 18. The other 36 senators, elected in 2016, remain in office until the next election and do not need to be sworn in.
Proclamation issued by the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has lowered the cash rate by 25 basis points to 1.25 per cent, the first change in interest rates in thirty-four months.
In its decision, the Board of the Reserve Bank said the decision was taken “to support employment growth and provide greater confidence that inflation will be consistent with the medium-term target”.
The Board referred to the growth in “trade disputes” and said that growth in international trade remains weak.
Monetary Policy Decision – Statement by Philip Lowe, Governor
At its meeting today, the Board decided to lower the cash rate by 25 basis points to 1.25 per cent. The Board took this decision to support employment growth and provide greater confidence that inflation will be consistent with the medium-term target.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced his new ministry, following the coalition’s re-election on May 18.
The major positions in the government are unchanged, with Josh Frydenberg remaining Treasurer and Mathias Cormann holding Finance. Marise Payne stays as Foreign Minister, whilst Linda Reynolds retains Defence. Peter Dutton remains Minister for Home Affairs, Greg Hunt stays in Health, Simon Birmingham in Trade and Dan Tehan in Education.
Melissa Price has been dropped from the Cabinet after a poor performance in Environment. She will now be Minister for Defence Industry. Sussan Ley returns to the Cabinet in the Environment portfolio.
Senator Arthur Sinodinos has been appointed Ambassador to the United States. He will take up the position when Joe Hockey’s term expires early next year. Sinodinos’ departure from the Senate may allow the Liberal Party to re-appoint Senator Jim Molan, who lost his seat at the election.
Senator Mitch Fifield will leave the Communications portfolio and will be replaced by Paul Fletcher. Fifield will also leave the Senate to take up the post of Ambassador to the United Nations. His Senate casual vacancy could go to Sarah Henderson, who lost her seat of Corangamite at the election.