PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

21 April 2026, MELBOURNE - Ambassador Antonio Morales met MP Wayne Farnham, Co-Chair of the Philippines-Australia Friendship Group at the Victorian Parliament, together with Consul General Gary Domingo at the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne.

The meeting tackled the important role of interparliamentary engagement in supporting the Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership and in advancing the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

Ambassador Morales provided an update on key developments in cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, protection of critical infrastructure, maritime security, law and justice, trade and investment, and education and skills.

The Ambassador also highlighted significant Philippine investments in Australia, especially the Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) at the Port of Melbourne. VICT, a subsidiary of the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), is Australia’s first fully automated container terminal and one of the most advanced in the world. He encouraged greater two-way trade and investment to unlock further economic opportunities.

Consul General Domingo underscored the significant contributions of the Filipino diaspora in Victoria, particularly in helping address workforce needs. He noted that the community has integrated well into Australian society and continues to demonstrate strong civic engagement and active participation in local community life.

Mr. Farnham expressed his affinity with the Philippines and acknowledged the depth of bilateral ties. He supported the exploration of transnational education models, particularly in sectors such as construction, to align training with Australian standards and to facilitate smoother labour mobility between the two countries.

The Philippines accounted for approximately 15% of Australia’s skilled migration applications in 2025, highlighting both Australia’s continued demand for skilled workers in key sectors and the substantial contribution of qualified Filipino professionals seeking to meet those workforce needs. - END

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