Canberra, Australian Capital Territory; Sydney, New South Wales

On Thursday 29 February 2024, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council. 

Later, the Governor-General and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley hosted a ceremonial welcome in honour of His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, President of the Republic of the Philippines. 

Then, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley met with President Marcos, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, and his official delegation. 

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a State Lunch in honour of President Marcos. 

Philippine guests included the Honourable Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Speaker of the House of Representatives; the Honourable Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, Secretary, Presidential Communications Office; Her Excellency Mrs Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega, Ambassador of the Philippines; Mr Joveno Victorino De La Vega, Spouse of the Ambassador; the Honourable Aileen S. Mendiola-Rau, Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable Reichel P. Quiňones, Presidential Assistant for Foreign Affairs, Office of the President; Mr Aian A. Caringal, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Philippines; Colonel Eduardo P. Castillo, Defence and Armed Forces Attaché, Embassy of the Philippines; and Ms Theresa Alders, Director, Department of Foreign Affairs. 

Australian lunch guests included the Honourable Patrick Gorman MP, representing the Prime Minister of Australia; Ms HK Yu PSM, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines; Senator Andrew McLachlan CSC, representing the President of the Senate; The Honourable Micheal McCormack MP, representing the Federal Opposition Leader; His Excellency Archbishop (Most Reverend) Charles Daniel Balvo, representing the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; the Honourable Justice Simon Steward, representing the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia; Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC CSC OAM, representing Chief of the Defence Force; Aunty Dr Caroline Hughes AM, Ngunnawal Elder; Ms Sherlita Hart, prominent Filippino Australian; Mr Paul Singer MVO, Official Secretary to the Governor-General, and Mr Jeff Barnes, Deputy Official Secretary to the Governor-General. 

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley travelled from Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, to Sydney, New South Wales. 

Then, the Governor-General, as Patron, and Mrs Hurley hosted a reception for the Children’s Medical Research Institute. 

Afterwards, the Governor-General received a phone call from His Majesty The King.  

Earlier, the Governor-General was represented at RAAF Base Fairbairn for the departure from Australia of His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by Mr Paul Singer MVO, Official Secretary to the Governor-General.