Prime Minister's Welcome

Prime Minister of Australia

The Commonwealth of Nations is an important institution that has facilitated international understanding and cooperation over seven remarkable decades.

As a founding member, Australia prizes the role of the Commonwealth and its enduring value in building a more just and peaceful world.

Australia is also greatly honoured to be able to host the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2011.

CHOGM is held every two years and is the highest consultative and policy-making mechanism of the Commonwealth, so it is a huge honour to be selected as the host nation.

I’m pleased to report that our preparations are well advanced and the setting for our meeting could not be more appropriate.

The vibrant multicultural city of Perth overlooks the Indian Ocean and serves as a gateway to the beautiful state of Western Australia.

Perth is a centre for Australia’s burgeoning minerals industry and enjoys rapidly expanding links to Asia, India and Africa.

As Prime Minister of Australia, I look forward to welcoming you to CHOGM 2011, which will provide us with an important opportunity for Commonwealth leaders to gather and discuss the challenges of our times.

This website will be a useful source of information as CHOGM 2011 draws nearer, so I hope you will make good use of the site.

Please also feel free to advise us of any further information and assistance you may require.

I sincerely look forward to hosting CHOGM 2011 and welcoming you, our friends and colleagues, to this important and timely gathering.

The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Prime Minister of Australia