Canberra 18 December 2017 Qatar's Ambassador to Australia, Ambassador Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, held an official reception on the occasion of the national day of Qatar in the presence of a large number of Australian officials, led by Mr. Andrew Barr, ACT Chief Minister, Ms. Lyndall Sachs, Chief of Protocol in DFAT,  and Commander Graham Edwards, representing the Australian Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Robert Elliot, representing the Navy and Commander David Sol, representing Air Force Chief and Representative Richard Wilson of the coalition government. Western Australia. The ceremony was also attended by heads of diplomatic missions in Australia, a number of representatives of companies, cultural and sports media institutions, the Australian Academy and leaders of the Arab and Islamic community. The guests were also received by Mr. Abdulaziz bin Saad Al Kuwari, Second Secretary and Mr. Fahad Al Hamar, Second Secretary.

The ceremony began with the national anthems of Qatar and Australia and welcoming speeches. The Chief of Protocol expressed her best wishes to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the people of Qatar on this occasion.


In his speech, His Excellency Ambassador Al Khalifa conveyed his best wishes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the friendly people of Australia and thanked all those who honoured the invitation to celebrate this important occasion. He said that Qatar is now in a better position than it was six months ago. It is an independent country with its own decision making power and its own will and expresses its thanks to all friends who stood by the State of Qatar. Al Khalifa also thanked all those who contributed to the enrichment and support of the Qatari and Australian relations and looked forward to further fruitful cooperation between the two countries in all fields.