HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday morning consented to attend a meeting with Julia Gillard MP, the Prime Minister of Australia, at The Lodge, marking the last day of a fruitful three-day State Visit to Australia.

The arrival of His Majesty at The Lodge was greeted by the Australian Prime Minister. His Majesty then consented to sign a visitor’s book and later joined a photo session.

Afterwards, His Majesty and Gillard proceeded to the Drawing Room for a bilateral meeting, where both leaders discussed bilateral issues of mutual interests as well as international and regional matters.

After the meeting, His Majesty and Gillard proceeded to the Dining Room for a luncheon hosted by the Prime Minister.

Accompanying His Majesty were Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Education; Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; Todd Mercer, the High Commissioner of Australia to Brunei Darussalam; Dayangku Rohayaty binti Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Md Yassin, Acting High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Australia; as well as other senior government officials.

Later in the evening, His Majesty departed Canberra.

Before leaving the Hyatt Hotel Canberra, a doa selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Present at the Defence Establishment Fairbairn, Canberra International Airport, to bid farewell to His Majesty were Mr Mark Fraser OAM, Deputy Official Secretary to the Governor General, Representative of the Governor General of Australia; Dr Craig Emerson MP, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research; Mr Allan McKinnon, Deputy National Security Adviser, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, representing the Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; and Todd Mercer, the High Commissioner of Australia to Brunei Darussalam.

Also present at the airport were the Acting High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Australia, and officers from the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam to Australia.

Accompanying His Majesty was the Minister of Education and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II. - Borneo Bulletin (4 May 2013)