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Gidday I'm Robert McClelland
Federal Attorney-General and first law officer of Australia.
I'm honoured to be hosting the 2011 Commonwealth Law Ministers
Meeting on behalf of Commonwealth countries in the Pacific region.
This will be the first time Australia has hosted this important multilateral forum
This will be a successful and engaging meeting and offer a great experience for
our Commonwealth guests.
We've chosen Sydney as the venue of the meeting
having recently been named one of the world's best event cities
I'm sure the facilities and attractions of Sydney, my home city,
will insure that both the official work program and side events will be
engaging and enjoyable.
I'm also looking forward to the discussions on important law and justice issues with
my Commonwealth colleagues.
The strength and ongoing relevance of the Commonwealth
is demonstrated by the ability of fifty four diverse states to come together and to
share their views, successes and challenges.
This holds incredible value for Commonwealth nations and their citizens.
Previous law ministers meetings have been invaluable in promoting the rule of law,
recognition of human rights and improving access to justice across the
Commonwealth.
These important issues, along with many other issues of common concern, benefit
immensely from the open dialogue that the Commonwealth law ministers meetings
offer.
and in the tradition of past law ministers meetings
I'm certain we will achieve relevant,
practical and important outcomes in Sydney.
In the lead up to the Sydney law ministers meetings detailed information
about the meetings will be posted on the 2011 meeting website.
We will also be launching Facebook and Twitter accounts to keep in touch with
everyone with an interest in the meetings.
So look out for those on our website over the coming months
and finally I look forward to welcoming my Commonwealth colleagues to Sydney
and extending Australia's warm hospitality to them.