Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

On Thursday 16 February 2023, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

 Afterwards, the Governor-General telephoned Her Excellency The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM QSO DStJ, Governor-General of New Zealand, to convey the thoughts of all Australians following the recent cyclone and earthquake.

 Later, the Governor-General and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley received Ms Heidi Bootle, Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu.

 Then, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley received The Honourable Ishmael Kalsakau MP, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, and Madame Ellene Kalsakau.

 In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley recorded video messages for International Women’s Day and Harmony Week.

 Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley as guests of His Excellency Mr Ufuk Gezer, Ambassador of Türkiye, signed a condolence book at the Embassy of Türkiye expressing the sympathy of all Australians following recent earthquakes.