Opening of Denmark business day, Melbourne
Your Majesties, Distinguished Danish and Australian business leaders, Ladies and gentlemen, We gather on the lands of Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, and celebrate their Elders past and present. Your Majesties, based on our discussions I know how deeply you value your connections with the Inuit people of Greenland and also, the connections you've been able to build with Australia's First Nations peoples.
Deeply valuing the teachings of our First Nations is not the only thing Australia and Denmark have in common. Two countries separated by such distance. With such different geographies.
But yet with so much in common. It's not just that our most iconic building, the Sydney Opera House, was designed by a Danish genius or that Denmark has a wonderful Australian Queen. I think the reason Minister Aagaard and I get along so well and collaborate so closely together at COP is not just that we are aligned on so much when it comes to climate policy.
I think it's also because Australian and Danish culture both encourage plain speaking, blunt appraisals and a disregard for too much protocol or palaver. Now, I know my friend, Minister Aagaard, has had to go home, and we have had wonderful discussions in Canberra. The fact that he even came to Australia in the middle of a Danish election campaign, shows how deeply he values our bilateral relationship.
Your Majesties, we are delighted that acting on climate change is such an important focus of your visit. Denmark is rightly recognised as a global pioneer of renewable energy. Long before the economic benefits were obvious, long before the rest of the world had caught up, Denmark made the strategic decision to invest in wind power and clean energy systems.
That early vision didn't just reduce emissions. It built globally competitive industries and companies that now help power countries around the world – including Australia. In doing so, Denmark demonstrated something important: climate ambition and economic success are not in tension with one another.
In fact, they reinforce each other. Australia is now writing its own chapter in that same story. We are a nation blessed with extraordinary renewable resources, the best solar conditions anywhere on Earth, strong and reliable wind, and the space and scale to build the energy systems of the future.
Across our electricity system, renewable generation continues to grow rapidly, supported by new transmission, storage, and the reforms needed to modernise our grid. But while Australia's resources are vast, the transformation of the global energy system is not something any one country can do alone. Partnership matters.
And Denmark is a natural partner. We may have space, sun, skills and ambition. But we welcome capital.
And we welcome the fact that Denmark is the fourth largest investor in Australia's renewable transformation. Danish companies are global leaders in wind power, offshore wind, energy systems integration and green fuels, areas that will be central to the next stage of Australia's energy transformation. And that is not just a statement of potential.
It is already a reality. Whether it is Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Vestas, Orsted or the other great Danish companies represented here today, it is no exaggeration to say the Australian and Danish economies are intrinsically interlinked when it comes to our renewable transition. What Denmark brings in innovation and engineering excellence, Australia offers in scale: scale of projects, scale of natural, and scale of opportunity.
Of course, Denmark and Australia also share something else, a belief that climate policy should be practical and economically grounded. Our goal is clear: to transform Australia into a renewable energy superpower. Not just producing clean electricity, but exporting clean energy and the products made with it.
As we gather today, the global energy landscape remains its most uncertain in 50 years. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East is a reminder that energy security and geopolitical stability are closely connected. When conflict disrupts supply chains or drives volatility in global energy markets, countries everywhere feel the consequences.
It is a reminder of why the energy transition matters, not only for the climate, but for resilience and security. Renewable energy strengthens that resilience. Australia now has 51% of our energy grid powered by renewables.
That’s 51% of our grid that is sovereign from international disruptions. Denmark understood this early. During the oil crises of the 1970s, Denmark recognised the risks of relying too heavily on imported fossil fuels.
The response was strategic and long-term: building energy independence through efficiency and renewable energy. This forum represents Danish expertise and experience and Australian opportunity. Danish innovation and Australian scale.
We are important partners in so many ways. This year, Australia takes on the Presidency of Negotiations at COP31 in Antalya, Turkiye. It won’t be easy.
We will be counting on the help of friends. I know we can count on Denmark as a key player at COP. I have already mentioned my friendship and collaboration with Lars.
I am also grateful that Denmark has given the international climate community the EU Energy Commissioner, Dan Jorgensen, who I also count as a friend. I confess my first exposure to Danish politics was watching Borgen. I also confess I regard it as the best TV show, ever!
But now, even better I have had the chance to develop real life friendships and collaborations with Lars and Dan. I trust and expect that Lars and Dan will both play important roles in COP31. Your Majesties, The global clean energy transformation is one of the largest economic shifts of our time.
New industries are emerging, green hydrogen, green steel, clean manufacturing. Supply chains are evolving. And countries that collaborate will move faster and further.
That is why Australia welcomes deeper cooperation with Denmark. We welcome Danish expertise in offshore wind and energy systems. We welcome Danish investment in Australian renewable projects.
And we welcome the opportunity for our researchers, engineers and businesses to work together. Because when Danish innovation meets Australian scale, we are able to build a more resilient energy system for both of our nations. Denmark helped show the world what renewable energy could become.
Australia is helping show how large that opportunity can be. And together, through partnerships like those represented here this morning, we can help build a cleaner, more resilient and more secure energy future. Thank you.
Tak! We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.