Speeches
Monday, 19 May 2025
South Australia Reception, Phnom Penh
I am pleased to be with you on what is my first visit to Cambodia as Governor of South Australia.
It is a great pleasure be here in Phnom Penh and to meet with valued representatives from government, education, and industry.
South Australia is proud of its growing relationship with Cambodia, built on people-to-people ties, mutual respect, and shared regional aspirations.
We are proud of our state’s strengths, which can be leveraged to continue building ties between our regions.
South Australia is home to a world-class food, wine and agribusiness sector.
Ongoing demand for premium products that are cleanly, safely and sustainably produced will continue to see significant opportunities for our food, beverage and wine businesses in the year ahead.
South Australia produces over 70 percent of its power from renewable energy. This, and the opportunities available to collaborate in the green economy value chain, make us a partner of choice in the global pursuit of carbon neutrality.
Our state’s internationally recognised education system sits at the heart of our strong partnership with Cambodia.
Earlier today I visited AusCam Academy, which will soon be teaching the South Australian Certificate of Education curriculum to secondary school students here in Cambodia.
The SACE will equip students with advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills, setting them up for future success at university, in their careers and as business and community leaders.
South Australia’s higher education landscape is transforming with the coming together of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia to create the new Adelaide University.
Opening its doors next year, Adelaide University will be the largest university in South Australia.
Recently, Flinders University has also opened a city campus, anchoring its presence in the heart of our city.
This evening I am pleased to be accompanied by Professor Colin Stirling, Vice-Chancellor and President of Flinders University, and Professor Jessica Gallagher, Deputy Vice Chancellor International & External Engagement, Adelaide University. I encourage you to connect with them.
South Australia is proud of the growing number of Cambodian students choosing Adelaide for their studies.
These students enrich our communities, diversify our campuses, and go on to become global ambassadors for knowledge, collaboration and goodwill.
Their engagement with our education system strengthens our institutions and our wider relationships, fostering deeper ties across diplomacy, academia and community, while also supporting a globally minded workforce.
South Australia recognises the Cambodian government’s strong economic growth aspirations as the country undergoes a significant economic transition.
We support your focus on education reform, digital development, and sustainable urbanisation, pursuing a vision for Cambodia to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050.
These priorities align strongly with South Australia’s strengths in education and skills training, clean energy, water, and innovation.
While it is of course incumbent on me to outline the strengths South Australia brings to our relationship with Cambodia, above all, we bring a spirit of partnership.
We do not seek to impose, but to collaborate—to listen, learn, and grow together.
Your Excellency, thank you for your hospitality this evening.
South Australia deeply values your continued engagement and we look forward to expanding our cooperation in new and meaningful ways.
To our Cambodian colleagues and friends: I am encouraged by the opportunities before us. I look forward to our partnership growing in strength into the future.
I hope you enjoy sampling some of South Australia’s local favourites, including our wines, Bickford’s beverages, and a selection of South Australian chocolate - a small taste of what our state has to offer.