On Wednesday 30 July 2008, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General His Excellency Major ...

On Wednesday 30 July 2008, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Earlier, the Governor-General received the Prime Minister, the Honourable Kevin Rudd MP. Following the departure from Australia of the Governor-General and Her Excellency Mrs Marlena Jeffery, on an official visit to the Kingdom of Tonga, the Proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO. Afterwards, the Administrator received from His Excellency Mr Michel Filhol, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the French Republic. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Bruno Bisson (Counsellor); Colonel Philippe Ohl (Defence Attache); and Colonel Denis Roger (Defence Equipment Attache), Embassy of the French Republic. The Administrator also received Mrs Catherine Filhol. Later, the Administrator received from His Excellency Mr Senaka Walgampaya, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner was accompanied by Mr Asoka Girihagama (Deputy High Commissioner); and Ms Dayani Medis (Counsellor), High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The Administrator also received Mrs Dilrukshi Walgampaya. Then, the Administrator received from His Excellency Dr Karl Michael Witter, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Alfred Simms-Protz (Minister-Counsellor); Mr Jonatan Weinberg (First Secretary); and Lieutenant Colonel Johann Thoma (Defence Attache), Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Administrator also received Mrs Johanna Witter. Afterwards, the Administrator received from His Excellency Mr Ibrahima Dia, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. In the afternoon, the Administrator hosted to lunch: the Ambassador of the French Republic and Mrs Catherine Filhol; the High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Mrs Dilrukshi Walgampaya; the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany and Mrs Johanna Witter; the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania; Mr Stephen Brady; Mr Doug Chester; Dr Jon Claoue-Long and Mrs Anne Claoue-Long; Mr David Cruse; Mr Brian Davies; Dr Quintus de Zylva; Mr Bruno Deparc; Mr Markus Gilbert and Mrs Kathrin Gilbert; Dr Andreas Jager; Dr Patrick Kluth and Dr Susan Kluth; Mr Raymond Najar and Mrs Sabah Najar; Mr Paul O'Callaghan; Mr Christophe Poisson and Ms Euriel Morvezen; and Emeritus Professor Ivan Shearer AM RFD. In Nuka'Alofa, Tonga, at the Residence of the Australian High Commissioner, Their Excellencies the Governor-General and Mrs Jeffery, as guests of honour, attended a dinner hosted by the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Bruce Hunt and Ms Sue Tanner.