Speech delivered on 21 May 2026, Sydney

Many of you who have represented Australia at earlier Games are legends for all of us. So, with all the acknowledgements made, and as the proud Patron-in-Chief of Commonwealth Games Australia, Simeon and I are really delighted to join you tonight as we count down to Glasgow 2026.

We are thrilled that, in all likelihood — I've got my fingers crossed — we'll be standing along the sideline, cheering on the champions for the opening days of the Games, and with you, of course, our nation will be cheering on with pride and passion from back home here in huge numbers.

That's true. It's a challenging time around the world, and in Australia, as we look at really, really complex issues challenging us in so many ways. So, what do we need to do? We need to watch Australia's unstoppable 79‑strong team perform against world‑class athletes in front of a global audience, which will be a truly extraordinary moment that lifts our spirits and adds another magnificent chapter in Australia's Commonwealth Games history.

And for the Commonwealth Games family, I think it's really important we recognize the fully integrated para sport program as a key element of the modern Commonwealth Games that puts the spirit of belonging and inclusion firmly at its heart, showing how sport at the highest level is a place where everyone belongs and all abilities matter.

And as I was talking to Grant earlier, and you pointed out that it's a full integration, not just with the athletes and coaches, but across all levels of the Commonwealth Games administration — everyone involved. It's a wonderful thing to remind ourselves that everyone does belong in the Commonwealth Games, and all abilities matter, and we celebrate all of them.

Sport simply lifts us all, and it does so in a big way here in Australia.

I'm also really pleased that there will be a very strong representation from the Pacific at the Games, and I was delighted to officially invite our Pacific neighbours to a special celebration of Oceania in Glasgow on the morning of the opening ceremony. It's something we did at the Paralympic Games — we were all there in the athletes' village — and it means a great deal for us to stand alongside our Pacific neighbours.

Australia has a deep and enduring commitment to the people and places of this region, and even in the heat of fierce competition, the Games are a cherished opportunity for us to celebrate the unique cultures and identities of the Pacific and all Commonwealth nations.

Dr Rukare, on Commonwealth Day, you drew on your experience as an athlete and an administrator when you said: on the starting blocks you are not defined by politics or borders — sport creates a space where fairness and mutual respect prevail. That is so, so very true.

It's important for us to always reflect upon what the Commonwealth Games represents — the possibility and potential of sport to bring people together — and no one knows that as much as the people in this room. It is also a great instrument of peace and friendship.

Some of you here this evening joined Simeon and me at Admiralty House in March for The King's Baton Relay. It was a wonderful opportunity on that morning, actually, for Matt Shirvington to share some high-level baton‑passing tips with me. I'm not sure I learned very much, but we did it. We had a great morning, and we and the nation saw that moment. It was a chance to celebrate what the Commonwealth Games means as a modern, inclusive Games.

Now, you'll know this, but I think it's worth reminding us that the artwork on Australia's baton was created by proud Kalkadoon woman and contemporary artist Cher’nee Sutton as a celebration of Indigenous culture and storytelling and connection to our country.

Our baton, I think you all know this, has the word “welcome” inscribed into its wood. “Welcome” is taken from The King's message to the Commonwealth, which will be read out when the 74 Commonwealth batons are reunited in Glasgow in July.

Together, the design and the message that's on our baton represent our diversity as a nation — of our people, our regions, and our environment — and it's an offering from us here in Australia to the entire Commonwealth family.

As Glasgow 2026 draws ever closer, we can all celebrate, advance, and commit to the Commonwealth Games values of humanity, equality, and destiny, and a global community united through sport.

I also want to recognize that our celebration tonight importantly includes the presentation of the Order of Merit and Emerging Athlete of the Year awards. That's going to be a great moment.

As athletes, coaches, officials and administrators, tonight's nominees are part of the history and legacy of the Commonwealth Games. Your commitment to performing at the highest level with passion, integrity and professionalism is indeed a tribute to all who have gone before and will be an inspiration to those who come after.

So now that the countdown is on, on behalf of all Australians as patron, I want to wish everyone involved with everything to do with getting us to the Commonwealth Games — including our athletes, but of course everyone else involved in that — the very, very best wishes for a highly successful Games, and I hope to see many of you in Glasgow in 62 days.

Thank you.