Historical Visit of Australia’s Speaker of the House of Representatives marks Mauritius’ Golden Jubilee of Independence

The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia’s Parliament, the Hon Tony Smith MP, visited Mauritius from 11 to 13 January 2018 to mark the country’s Golden Jubilee of Independence and underline the longstanding and warm relations between the two countries.

Tony Smith is the first Australian Speaker to visit Mauritius and has been undertaking a wide-ranging program including calls on the President and Prime Minister, a high-level business roundtable organised by the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a presentation at the University of Mauritius on democracy and role of the Speaker, and meeting other senior government, community and Australian alumni figures.

In recognition of the shared interests in education, the ocean economy, women’s empowerment and culture, including the history of indentured labour, Tony Smith’s program included a number of site visits such as Aapravasi Ghat and Port Louis harbour where Western Australian fisheries company - Austral Fisheries – has operated for more than a decade.
“It’s an honour to be the first Australian Speaker to visit Mauritius and I congratulate Mauritius on its 50 years of independence,” Tony Smith said.

“Australia and Mauritius have a longstanding and warm relationship, given our many shared interests in Commonwealth values and democratic institutions, commitment to peace and prosperity, and interest in developing commercial ties.  I hope to develop our links further through increased parliamentary relations and exchange,” he added.

Tony Smith also met the Mauritian Speaker, the Hon Maya Hanoomanjee in the Seychelles where both were participating in the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth. 

Tony Smith visited Dukesbridge preparatory school which has been partnered with an Australian school in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games being held in April on the Gold Coast. He also visited Genderlinks’ Safe Haven Halfway Home for Young Women and symbolically handover Rs 400,000 raised during the Australian High Commission’s White Ribbon Charity Dinner held last November in collaboration with Les Chefs du Coeur’s and corporate partners.

A particular moving part of the program was the opportunity to visit Phoenix cemetery and pay respect to World War II serviceman, Arnold Partington, who is buried in the cemetery.
With a large Diaspora community, over 2,000 Mauritians currently studying in Australia, and increasing education, research and innovation partnerships, two-way trade stands at more than A$400 million in 2017.  Over 100 Australian companies are operating in Mauritius.

Australian High Commission visa counter service to close

The Visa counter service at the Australian High Commission, Mauritius will cease to operate as of 15 January 2018. The Australian High Commission strongly encourages you to lodge your visa application online at:http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Immi.

If you are unable to lodge online you can place your application in the drop box located at the front door of the High Commission between 8.30am-3.30pm Monday to Friday. Those who attend the High Commission wanting to lodge or follow up on a visa application will not be able to be seen by visa staff.

Please also be reminded that the Visa Section no longer accepts cash payments and all payments must be by credit card or Australian debit cards. If you need to lodge an emergency visa and for all other visa queries please email immigration.port.louis@dfat.gov.au.