Canberra, ACT

On Thursday 2 November 2017, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), presided over a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the Acting First Assistant Secretary, Middle East and Africa Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Matthew Neuhaus.

Later, the Governor-General met with His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho and Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso and received: the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Lesego Letele Calayel Makgothi; Principal Secretary, Foreign Affairs, Mr Nkopane Monyane; and Senior Private Secretary to His Majesty, Mr Monehela Phillip Phosholi.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted an afternoon tea for the Smith Family’s ‘Learning for Life’ scholarship students and their parents.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the letters of resignation of Senator the Honourable Stephen Parry as President of the Senate and a Senator for the State of Tasmania. The Governor-General corresponded with Her Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Kate Warner AC, in relation to the resulting Senate vacancy in the State of Tasmania.

In the evening, at the National Gallery of Australia, Parkes, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Director of Image, Heritage and Style, Cartier International, Mr Pierre Rainero, attended ‘Cartier: The Exhibition’ Patron’s dinner and viewed the exhibition.

Earlier, the Governor-General met with students from Christian Brothers School, SA, as they undertook a tour of Government House as part of their visit to Canberra.