As part of the Governor’s duties and at the request of the Premier, the Governor travels overseas on behalf of Victoria as Head of State
From 16-28 November 2025, the Governor participated in an Official Visit to Malaysia and Indonesia.
Engagements covered a range of priority sectors including infrastructure development, education, cultural exchange, and healthcare, where the Governor was active in promoting Victoria’s interests with these important regional partners.
Key themes
Infrastructure and trade
While in Kuala Lumpur, the Governor held meetings with the Malaysian Minister for Digital, with the Premier of Selangor, and with representatives of the City of Kuala Lumpur.
The Governor also visited a project site operated by Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad to get insights from this major modular housing and infrastructure construction company, which was followed by a visit to the Merdeka 118 Tower – the world’s second largest tower, designed by Melbourne architecture firm FK Australia.
As the Governor’s Official Visit continued on to Indonesia, she met with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, which was a chance to reconnect and continue to promote Victoria as a partner of choice for ASEAN and Southeast Asia.
A meeting with representatives from Danantara Sovereign Fund gave the Governor the opportunity to promote the strengthening of investment and export partnerships, and a roundtable with Indonesian business leaders, hosted by Deloitte Indonesia, likewise offered insights into future workforce skill requirements.
Speaking at a Meat and Livestock Australia dinner in Jakarta, the Governor promoted Victoria’s lamb exports to Indonesia.
Education and healthcare
In Malaysia, the Governor visited the Monash Malaysia Sunway campus to promote Victorian education capabilities in-market, as well as officially opening the new student library, unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion.
The Governor also visited the Ministry of Higher Education where she met with the Malaysian Minister of Higher Education and senior officials.
Upon arrival in Indonesia, the Governor visited Kalisonggo State Primary School in Yogyakarta to learn more about the program and its links with Victorian primary schools. Later in the visit, the Governor also visited NPK Penabur Senior Christian High School, where she planted a tree in the school grounds to mark the occasion.
On a visit to Gadjah Mada University, the Governor delivered a keynote address on Victoria’s strengths in international higher education, as well as touring the faculty of medicine and attending an announcement of new ‘Human Flourishing Hub’ partnership between the University and Australian Catholic University.
In Jakarta, the Governor met with the Indonesian Minister for Health. Later, in Bandung, the Governor witnessed the signing of new MoU between RMIT and Mandaya Hospital Group and reflected on the growing collaboration between Victoria and Indonesia in this sector.
In Bandung, the Governor also delivered an address to open the UI International Public Seminar at the Deakin-Lancaster University Joint Campus, as well as visiting Bio Farma - a major Indonesian health and medical research enterprise – to promote trade and investment collaboration with Victoria.
Cultural exchange
The Governor attended receptions in both Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, where she addressed audiences of business stakeholders, alumni, and members of the Australian and Victorian communities abroad.
The Governor’s Official Visit to Malaysia coincided with the 70th anniversary of Australia’s diplomatic presence in Malaysia, and she unveiled an Australian indigenous mural artwork at the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur as part of commemorations. While in Kuala Lumpur, the Governor also met with the Malaysian Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture.
In Indonesia, the Governor met with His Majesty Hamengkubuwono X, Sultan and Governor of Yogyakarta, where she witnessed the signing and execution of the new Victoria-Yogyakarta Memorandum of Understanding before attending a dinner hosted by the Sultan at the Kraton. As Patron of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Governor also attended a performance by alumni of the Orchestra’s Indonesia workshop program.
In Bandung, the Governor met with the Vice-Governor of West Java, as well as meeting with the Mayor of Bandung.
From 17 May – 3 June 2025, the Governor participated in an Official Visit to France, Belgium, Denmark and the United Kingdom.
The visit covered a range of priority sectors including sustainable energy transition and MedTech, with the UK and the European Union representing major trading partners for our State.
Key themes
Infrastructure development and economic cooperation
Engagements across the Official Visit explored ways to strengthen Victoria’s economic cooperation with our partners abroad through expanding trade and investment.
In Paris, the Governor met with Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, with members of the of the France-Australia Friendship Group from the French Senate, with the President of the Region Île-de-France, and with the Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce to discuss the 14th World Chambers Congress to be held in Melbourne.
The Governor also visited the Grand Paris Express project site in addition to attending, as a guest of honour, a ‘Friends of Victoria’ event hosted by the Ambassador of Australia to France at the Australian Embassy in Paris.
Similarly, the Governor attended a reception in Brussels, hosted by the Ambassador of Australia to Belgium, the EU, NATO and Luxembourg, which brought together important stakeholders for Victoria in Belgium.
In the United Kingdom, the Governor met with the Mayor of Greater Manchester and attended a working lunch with Manchester business stakeholders.
In London, the Governor met with representatives from AustralianSuper – a fund with significant international investments, including the redevelopment of the King’s Cross development precinct – where she received a tour and briefing.
The Governor also met with the United Kingdom Trade Envoy to Australia, the Co-founder and Chair of the UK firm Our Place, representatives form the Go-Ahead Group, the CEO of the Wellcome Trust, before the Official Visit wrapped up with a networking event at Lords Cricket Ground to further promote Victoria-UK ties.
Science and technology
Victoria and Europe hold shared interests across a range of sectors, including sustainable energy and medical research, with the Official Visit exploring opportunities for further collaboration.
In Belgium, the Governor visited a Telix Pharmaceuticals nuclear medicine manufacturing facility to get an insight into the overseas operations of this Melbourne-based biopharmaceutical company and its plans for the future.
In Denmark, the Governor paid a visit to the Novo Nordisk Foundation – recognised as the wealthiest charitable foundation in the world – to explore further opportunities for cooperation within Victoria.
The Governor’s time in Denmark also saw her meet with representatives from Danish companies European Energy, Ørsted, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to explore opportunities to expand investment in Victoria’s offshore wind program, as well as participating in a roundtable lunch hosted by the Ambassador of Australia to Denmark.
Defence engagement and military commemorations
The Official Visit underscored Victoria’s commitment to contributing to skills development and global supply chains in the defence sector, as well as including several important historical commemorations to honour the contributions of Victorian soldiers during WWI and WWII.
In Paris, the Governor met with representatives from Safran Group, where she received a briefing on Safran’s defence and aviation technology and operations in our State.
Following the tradition of numerous Victorian Governors before her, the Governor embarked on a tour of the Western Front which included visits to the Australian National Memorial, the Sir John Monash Centre, the Victoria School, and the Australian Corps Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux.
The Governor viewed memorial sites en route to Ypres, where she visited the Passchendaele Memorial Museum alongside the Ambassador of Australia to Belgium, the EU, NATO and Luxembourg.
Accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid, Princess of Belgium, the Governor of West Flanders, and the Mayor of Ypres, the Governor toured the Menin Gate memorial and attended a Last Post Ceremony, where she laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Victoria and recited The Ode.
In the United Kingdom, the Governor visited the Rolls Royce Training Academy in Derby.
Diplomatic engagements
In Belgium, the Governor reconnected with Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid, Princess of Belgium, who visited Victoria in October 2023 while leading an economic mission as a representative of His Majesty The King of Belgium.
Her Royal Highness accompanied the Governor on her visit town of Ypres, as well as hosting a visit to the Greenhouses of the Royal Palace of Laeken.In Denmark, the Governor was received in audience by Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark at Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen.
From 22 October – 1 November 2024, the Governor participated in an Official Visit to Japan and China.
The visit was an opportunity to strengthen ties with China and Japan, which are Victoria’s largest and third-largest trading partners respectively, as well as a chance to reinforce Victoria’s sister-state partnerships with Aichi Prefecture and Sichuan Province.
Key themes
Supporting trade and investment relationships
The Governor’s Official Visit to Japan featured tours of several innovative Japanese organisations, including a meeting with the Global Chief Technology Officer of Fujitsu and a tour of the recently opened startup incubator, STATION Ai.
The Governor also visited the Toyota Technological Institute, where she toured the laboratories and teaching facilities before meeting with staff and students.
In China, the Governor visited Qinci Games Studios – offering an insight into the company’s expansion into Victoria.
At a ‘Friends of Victoria’ event in Beijing, hosted by Victoria’s Commissioner to Greater China, the Governor gave a speech to an audience of business stakeholders, alumni, and members of the Australian and Victorian community in Beijing.
The Governor’s engagement also extended to cultural institutions. The Governor visited the Seikado Bunko Art Museum in Tokyo as well as the Palace Museum in Beijing discuss the possibilities to further extend collaborations with Victoria’s cultural institutions.
Representing Victoria abroad
In Japan, the Governor represented Victoria at the 61st Annual Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference in Nagoya, after Melbourne had hosted the Conference the previous year.
During the Conference, the Governor met with the Chair of Japan-Australia Business Cooperation Committee and attended the official reception, opening ceremony and official dinner.
The Governor also met with the President and the CEO of the Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee, as well as with senior Japanese officials to discuss the relationship between Japan and Victoria.
In China, the Governor attended 25th China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education, at which she represented Victoria at the plenary session.
The Governor gave a keynote address and reflected on the benefits of international education and Victoria’s important contribution to the sector.
Strengthening Victoria’s sister-state relationships
The Official Visit included two of Victoria’s sister-states – Aichi Prefecture in Japan and Sichuan Province in China.
Ahead of the 45th anniversary of the sister-state relationship in 2025, the Governor met with the Governor of Aichi Prefecture and attended a dinner hosted by His Excellency in honour of her Official Visit to Japan.
The Governor also met with the Mr Masaharu Shinkai, Vice-Chairperson of the Aichi Prefectural Assembly and visited Nagoya Castle, an officially designated National Historic Site in Aichi.
China is home to Victoria’s newest sister-state in the province of Sichuan. Alongside Jiangsu, this makes Victoria the only State in Australia that has two sister-state relationships with China.
On her Official Visit to China, the Governor met with the Chairperson of the Sichuan Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
The Governor visited the Sichuan International Tennis Centre where she met with officials and players for the Australian Open Asia-Pacific Wildcard Play-off to explore future collaboration in sports and major events to strengthen bilateral ties.
Victoria is home to several major international sporting events including the Australian Open, one of only four major tennis tournaments in the international Grand Slam tennis circuit.
The Governor’s time in Sichuan concluded with a visit to the Dujiangyan Giant Panda Base - another key institution of Victoria’s sister-state.
From 1 - 15 June 2024, the Governor participated in an Official Visit to the United States of America.
Travel to the USA offered the chance to strengthen cooperation in key sectors including biotechnology, as well as the opportunity to explore closer strategic and economic ties.
Key themes
Showcasing Victoria's biotechnology sector to the world
Victoria’s unique capabilities have made our State a popular destination for biomedical research and development, with a focus of the Official Visit being to explore the potential to expand US-Australia biotechnology collaboration in the future.
San Diego was the first stop on the Official Visit as the city hosted the BIO International Convention – the largest event of its kind in the world.
With more than 70 companies representing Victoria’s biotechnology sector, this year was Global Victoria’s largest ever trade mission to BIO, and an opportunity to promote Victoria’s life sciences ecosystem and attract further two-way investment between the USA and Victoria.
After speaking at a welcome reception on arrival, the Governor attended and spoke at events for delegates of BIO 2024 throughout the week.
The Governor also delivered the keynote address as part of a MTPConnect Women in Life Sciences Leadership Panel discussion.
During BIO 2024, the Governor met with Australia’s Minister for Industry and Science, representatives from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), and representatives from Brandon BioCatalyst.
Visits to BioLabs, Illumina, Planet Innovation and the Salk Institute explored further opportunities for Victorian scientific research and commercialisation.
Travelling to Minnesota, the Governor toured the University of Minnesota Nano Center as well as the Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange to gain an insight into their approach to medical innovation.
The Governor was also hosted by Destination Medical Center at an event with affiliated Victorian companies to promote and enhance collaboration opportunities.
While in New York, the Governor met with representatives from Pfizer to promote further investment opportunities in Victoria.
Continuing this central theme from this official visit, the Governor also visited the National Institutes of Health to learn about the US Government’s approach to medical research.
Supporting Victoria's international engagement
Exploring opportunities for collaboration on international engagement was another central focus of this visit.
While in New York, the Governor met with Australia’s Consul-General in New York and Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations to discuss Victoria’s global and strategic policy priorities.
The Governor also met with Natasha Stott Despoja AO to congratulate her on her re-election to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
A lunch hosted by the Asia Society offered the chance to engage in some informed conversations about common challenges and opportunities, continuing the Society’s proud tradition of cross-cultural exchange.
In an increasingly globalised world, informed conversations about common challenges and opportunities are more important than ever.
The Governor also attended and spoke a Victorian alumni and business networking reception hosted by the American Australian Association.
In Washington D.C, the Governor toured the new Australian Embassy, where she received a briefing on AUKUS initiatives.
The Governor also received a briefing from RAND Corporation on geopolitical trends in the Asia-Pacific region, and attended a reception and dinner hosted by Australia’s Ambassador to the USA for The Pew Charitable Trusts at the Australian Embassy.
Promoting Victoria's interests in the USA
There are many aspects to the Australian and American relationship, and its diversity ensures we will continue to find new avenues through which to connect.
A focus of the official visit the United States was to explore opportunities for greater collaboration and investment with our international partners.
During the Official Visit, the Governor met a number of senior officials, including the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Commerce and, later in the trip, the Lieutenant-Governor of Maryland.
In Minneapolis, the Governor was greeted by the Lieutenant-Governor of Minnesota to discuss the state’s connections with Victoria.
In November 2023, a delegation of business leaders from Minnesota were part of the US state’s first-ever trade mission to Australia.
The Governor met with delegates from this trade mission to Victoria, as well as attending a roundtable hosted by Greater Minnesota St Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership.
These meetings were an opportunity to continue important conversations on collaboration in the medical innovation, research and technology sectors.
While in New York, the Governor toured the Museum of Modern Art and the High Line to learn more about their projects.
Travelling into Virginia, the Governor toured the Lockheed Martin Global Vision Center.
While in Washington DC, the Governor met with Congressman Joe Courtney at the Capitol Building, as well as meeting with representatives from and touring the National Gallery of Art.
From 5 - 18 December 2023, the Governor participated in an Official Visit to India and the United Kingdom.
Across a busy program of engagements, the visit provided the opportunity to strengthen relationships with Victoria’s international partners and promote the State’s economic, social and cultural interests.
Key themes
Developing strong relationships with international partners
During the Official Visit, the Governor met with numerous senior international representatives to discuss strategic relationships and cooperation in key sectors.
A key engagement of the Governor’s Official travel was a meeting with His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, during which the Governor extended an invitation to His Majesty to visit Victoria.
During the visit to the United Kingdom, the Governor met with the Minister of State for Investment to discuss the importance of the trade relationship between Victoria and the UK.
The Governor also met with the Lord Mayor of Birmingham to identify further opportunities for trade, investment and industry collaboration, as well as meeting with the Lord Mayor of the City of London to build connections.
In Mumbai, a meeting with the Governor of Maharashtra was an opportunity to discuss connections between the two jurisdictions and shared priorities.
Engaging with Victoria’s international community
Throughout the overseas program, the Governor actively engaged with Victoria’s international community by visiting the international operations of Victorian companies, and through hosting receptions for Victorian alumni and business representatives.
Participating in the inaugural ceremony of the Cosmoprof India trade show in Mumbai, the Governor officially opened the Victoria Stand and met with exhibitors in the State’s first official delegation to the exhibition.
At a ‘Victoria Connect’ networking event, the Governor was able to speak with Indian alumni from Victorian universities as well as representatives from the business community.
The Governor also celebrated the screen ties with the Indian Film Festival Melbourne and presented the Excellence in Cinema 2023 Award at an event in Mumbai.
In London, the Governor spoke with Victorian University alumni to hear about their experiences studying in Victoria and how that has supported their work in the UK.
Promoting Victoria’s interests abroad
The Official Visit also offered the chance to build friendship and good relations with these nations and to promote Victoria’s economic, social and cultural interests.
A Trade and Investment Roundtable in Mumbai was an opportunity to build new opportunities and strengthen relationships between Victoria and India, bringing together a number of senior representatives from Australian and Indian businesses.
Likewise, the Governor participated in roundtables in London focused on growing the partnership between Victoria and the UK, including through skills and workforce opportunities as part of the AUKUS agreement.
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