I look forward to hosting His Excellency Professor Dr Boediono, the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia who is visiting Australia as a guest of the Government and will be in Canberra tomorrow.
I welcome the Vice President to Australia, whose visit comes on top of President Yudhoyono's visit last year, and Prime Minister Gillard's trip to Jakarta in November.
Australia's ties with Indonesia are at an historic high point with our economic cooperation continuing to expand, so I look forward to discussing with the Vice President how we can further strengthen our ever-growing relationship.
I look forward to welcoming Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo, who is a member of the delegation, expanding on our strong working relationship.
The Vice President will also be accompanied by the Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr RM Marty M Natalegawa, the Indonesian Trade Minister, Dr Mari Pangestu, the Indonesian Minister for Education, Professor Muhammed Nuh, and the Minister for Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform, Mr E.E. Mangindaan.
The visit also provides an opportunity to promote growing trade and investment between our countries, with Trade Minister Craig Emerson meeting the Vice President along with Trade Minister Pangestu.
Vice President Boediono's arrival in Canberra will follow a visit to Perth, where he today has met Tertiary Education Minister Senator Chris Evans to advance educational ties between Australia and Indonesia.
While in Perth also today, the Vice President will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Western Australia.