PM Transcripts

Transcripts from the Prime Ministers of Australia

Howard, John

Period of Service: 11/03/1996 - 03/12/2007
Release Date:
10/03/2003
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
20581
Released by:
  • Howard, John Winston
Commonwealth Day

Commonwealth Day is an opportunity to celebrate what brings us together and to take pride in being part of the global community of Commonwealth nations. It is a day when the people of the Commonwealth recall the common values and traditions that unite them.

The Commonwealth has a proud history of promoting good governance and human rights, and resolving conflict. It strives to help its members eliminate poverty and build for prosperity. It has increasingly concerned itself with the emerging challenges to peace and democracy posed by terrorism. As Commonwealth members we are deeply conscious of the way our shared values, commitment to good governance, and support for the rule of law underpin our hopes for development and peace.

The Commonwealth engages actively to advance the economic concerns of developing countries and its small state members. It is a forum for building bridges between the poorest and most disadvantaged nations and developed countries and for encouraging good economic governance. Its very name -

20581