The Hon. Tim Fischer AC
The Hon. Tim Fischer AC talks about the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS)
"It is a case of thousands of lives saved or helped by eight decades of RFDS operation across Australia and this is a wonderful achievement by all involved. I salute the RFDS people, past and present, and do so as the new National Chairman in admiration of all that has been achieved and continues to be achieved."
Ambassador to the Holy See
Prime Minister, Mr. Kevin Rudd, announced The Hon. Tim Fischer AC, would be the next ambassador to the Holy See. The Hon. Tim Fischer AC will be Australia's first resident ambassador to the Holy See since 1973, when former prime minister Gough Whitlam established diplomatic relations with the Vatican. The Hon. Tim Fischer AC was introduced to Pope Benedict before the Pontiff boarded his plane. Prime Minister, Mr. Kevin Rudd said Australia would be the 70th nation with a resident ambassador at the Vatican - "Your Holiness, I am confident that Mr. Fischer, Ambassador Fischer as he will be, will discharge this position with dignity and enable Australia and the Holy See to be able to work together on the great challenges we face in the world."
Hon. Tim Fischer's appointment as Ambassador to the Holy See as related by source ABC
July 21, 2008 - 10:23AM Source: ABC
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Governor-General Michael Jeffery have farewelled the Pope at Sydney Airport, after the pontiff's eight-day stay in Australia for World Youth Day.
Pope Benedict was applauded as he entered the hangar, where a Qantas chartered 747 was waiting for him to board.
He stood on a platform with the Australian and Vatican flags behind him and gave his final speech, blessing all Australians.
"You have opened your doors and your hearts to the world's youth and on their behalf, I thank you," he said.
Mr Rudd then told the 81-year-old pontiff the country had been touched by his simple humanity during the World Youth Day celebrations.
"In that week, your Holiness, it feels very much that you have already become one with us," he said. "Indeed, that you have become one of us."
The Prime Minister also announced former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer would be the next ambassador to the Holy See.
Mr Fischer will be Australia's first resident ambassador to the Holy See since 1973, when former prime minister Gough Whitlam established diplomatic relations with the Vatican.
The 62-year-old former Nationals leader served in both the New South Wales and federal parliaments, including six years as deputy prime minister.
He was introduced to the Pope before the pontiff boarded his plane.
Mr Rudd said Australia would be the 70th nation with a resident ambassador at the Vatican.
"Your Holiness, I am confident that Mr Fischer, Ambassador Fischer as he will be, will discharge this position with dignity and enable Australia and the Holy See to be able to work together on the great challenges we face in the world," he said.
"On human rights, including religious and political freedom across the world, on poverty, on food security, on international humanitarian relief, on peace, arms control and disarmament, on the great challenge of climate change and the other great debates affecting the future of our planet."
The Pope then walked up the steps to the plane, where he gave a final wave and a bow before boarding the flight, which will stop briefly in Darwin before heading back to Rome.