PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

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

14 May 2026, CANBERRA - The Embassy of the Philippines in Australia led by Ambassador Antonio Morales held a reception at Parliament House to commemorate Philippines-Australia Friendship Day and the 80th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations.

The event brought together more than 80 guests, including Members of Parliament, senior officials from government agencies, representatives of ASEAN Missions, the business community and Filipino diaspora.

Guests of Honor included Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia and Mr. Luke Gosling MP, Special Envoy for Northern Australia and Chair of the Australia-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group.

The reception featured strong bipartisan participation from across the Australian Parliament, including Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism; Minister for International Development and Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly MP; Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite MP; Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Ted O’Brien MP; and Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Shayne Neumann MP.

Other Members of Parliament in attendance included Ash Ambihaipahar MP, Alison Byrnes MP, Cassandra Fernando MP, Steve Georganas MP, Michelle Landry MP, David Smith MP, and Andrew Willcox MP, many of whom are active members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group. Former Australian Ambassadors to the Philippines, H.E. Amanda Gorely and H.E. Steve Robinson, were also in attendance.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong underscored the Strategic Partnership as one built on enduring mutual respect, shared democratic values, and a common commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. She also highlighted the strength and breadth of people-to-people and economic ties, pointing to nearly 40,000 Filipino students in Australia and the strong presence of Australian businesses across key sectors in the Philippines.

Mr Luke Gosling MP, speaking in his capacity as Special Envoy for Northern Australia, noted the long historical connections between the Philippines and northern Australia, including the contributions of the Manilamen to the pearling industry in Darwin, Broome, and the Torres Strait. He also reflected on the contributions of the Filipino community in Australia.

Ambassador Morales highlighted the strengthening of the Strategic Partnership with the growing cooperation across defence and maritime security, trade and investment, climate resilience, the energy transition, education, and regional engagement through the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship. He also reaffirmed the vital role of the Filipino community in Australia in deepening bilateral ties.

The Philippines and Australia established formal diplomatic relations on 04 July 1946. Philippines-Australia Friendship Day is celebrated on the 22nd of May every year, marking the day when Australia established its Consulate General in Manila.

Several landmarks will be illuminated in the colors of the Philippine flag on the evening of 21 May 2026: the National Carillon, the John Gorton Building, the Treasury Building, Questacon and the fountains of the National Library.

We invite everyone to take part in our campaign by taking a photograph and then sharing what it is that makes both the Philippines and Australia meaningful to you, using the hashtag #AULightsUpforPH80. - END