Monday September 16, 2024
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan delivered the Australia India Institute’s 2024 Annual Oration in New Delhi on her first overseas visit as Premier, laying out her vision for the Victoria India relationship.
In front of a crowd of 120 people at the Imperial Hotel in Delhi, that included Indian and Australian leaders such as Australian High Commissioner His Excellency Philip Green, and former Victorian Premier John Brumby, Premier Allan spoke of the deep-rooted connections and shared values that bind Australia and India.
Australia India Institute new Advisory Board Chair Mr Patrick Suckling introduced the Premier on stage, while Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global, Culture and Engagement of the University of Melbourne Professor Micheal Wesley thanked the Premier.
Premier Allan highlighted the significant cultural, economic, and educational exchanges between Victoria and India that have strengthened over the years. She also used the Oration to officially announce the Victorian Government’s $5 million dollar fund for offshore education, titled “Yes to International Students” fund. Premier Allan declared that “India is the future of the world, and Victoria is the future of Australia.”
Ms Allan spoke of her fondness for India, and her ambition to strengthen strategic relations with the biggest democracy in the world. She reflected at the untapped opportunities and mutual benefits for both Victoria and India.
Following her speech, she sat down on stage for a Q&A session with CEO Lisa Singh, where they explored the boundless opportunities for Victoria-India relations across education, sport and the arts. Ms Allan also spoke of the value the Indian diaspora in Victoria bring to all aspects of Victorian society.
Over the years the Annual Oration has provided orators with a platform for contemporary and agenda-setting debate on issues of mutual significance including trade and economy, sustainable development, international education and geopolitics and security.
The Oration continues to create meaningful discussion around cultural connections and careful contemplation on the ever-evolving Australia India relationship.
About the 2024 Annual Oration
Annual Oration 2024 Media
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