Australian Governor-General David Hurley, who invited President Marcos to Canberra this week, believes that the future of the relationship between the Philippines and Australia is bright as both countries mark 78 years of formal diplomatic ties this year.

Hurley said this during the State Lunch hosted in honor of President Marcos who addressed the Australian Parliament in Canberra on Thursday, Feb. 29.

In his remarks, Hurley said Marcos' recent visit would further strengthen the relationship between the two island nations.

"The future between our two countries is bright. I am sure your current visit, which includes the upcoming ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, will further strengthen relationships between our governments, economies, and people,” he said.

Hurley added that Australia values its Strategic Partnership with the Philippines and that it "has meant much" to them.

"It will continue to do so in the future. We are neighbors in more than name and geography. We are friends who can rely on each other and help each other,” he said.

Governor-General Hurley noted that President Marcos’ address to the Parliament of Australia “underscored the strength and dynamism” of the long-standing bilateral ties between the Philippines and Australia, which started on July 4, 1946.

“Australia and the Philippines are partners in a dynamic region. We embrace opportunities together and we work together to face common challenges. In the face of these challenges our bilateral relationship has grown stronger,” he said.

The Australian official also noted that the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Australia, which was officially signed by President Marcos and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in September 2023, will further deepen the two countries' engagement on both bilateral and multilateral fronts.

He added that a key pillar in the relationship is the 50-year development partnership, which is “an investment” in the shared future of the Philippines and Australia.

“Our development partnership enhances the conditions for stability, bolsters inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and increases institutional and community resilience. Our security partnership is expansive, spanning maritime, defense, counterterrorism, and cyber cooperation,” Hurley said.

“The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia, presenting significant opportunities for Australia to strengthen its trade and investment ties, especially in green energy, resources, agriculture, and education, as outlined in Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040," he added.

People-to-people ties

Before concluding his speech, Governor-General Hurley mentioned the "vibrant" people-to-people relationship between the Philippines and Australia, including in the education sector where Australia hosts over 32,000 Filipino students yearly with close to 80 percent enrolled in technical and vocational education courses.

Australia serves as the second home to over 400,000 Filipinos.

The Australian official also emphasized that the “Work and Holiday” arrangement, signed during the visit of Prime Minister Albanese in September last year, which will officially start in July, will further build the cultural and people-to-people critical links between the Philippines and Australia.