Reception for the Order of Malta

President, Order of Malta, the Honourable James Douglas KC;  

Convenor, Order of Malta National Assembly 2023, Mr Richard Palk CSM; Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here. 

Graeme and I are delighted to welcome you all to Government House, on the eve of the Australian Association of the Order of Malta’s Biennial National Assembly. 

We are so pleased that this significant event is being held in Brisbane, because your members bring with them an immense spirit of goodwill and benevolence that is very much appreciated here.  

Over 900 years have passed since the Order of Malta was first established, and humanity’s need for compassionate assistance is as great as ever.  

Since, 2017, when the National Assembly last convened in Brisbane, we have encountered significant challenges.  

The past six years have brought with them local disasters, including fires and floods, together with rising global unrest, and the COVID-19 pandemic—all of which have resulted in increased hardship for untold numbers of people, in Queensland and around the world.  

As the demands become more urgent and complex, it is therefore so reassuring that the Order of Malta remains steadfastly true to its foundational mission to alleviate the suffering of the poor and sick, without judgment.  

Your vital help is now offered in over 120 countries, and is being delivered so effectively through a wide range of programs and initiatives, such as Coats for the Homeless, which—as we head into these colder months—will be truly life saving. 

Alongside essential medical, practical and financial aid, the provision of a home-cooked meal, morning tea at the Mobile Community Café, or the opportunity to attend the Camp for Disabled Youth, also helps to reduce social isolation, which we know can have such a negative impact on a person’s overall wellbeing. 

The Order of Malta relies on many people to achieve its goals. Your deep faith connects and motivates you, yet also highlights how much stronger we are when we come together, despite our differences.  

I therefore thank all of the outstanding members and volunteers nationwide and throughout the Asia-Pacific region, who serve the Order with unwavering kindness, empathy, dedication and devotion, even when the circumstances you face must sometimes be confronting. 

I would also like to acknowledge, with the deepest gratitude, the generous donors who give the Australian Association of The Order of Malta the means to fund its vital projects.  

The next few days will give you the chance to reflect on your current activities, while looking to the future, as you invest new Knights and Dames into the Order. 

I am sure this opportunity to interact with other members will be informative and productive, as well as being highly enjoyable, and I wish you all tremendous success.