The Australian Institute for International Affairs Queensland is pleased to present the 2016 AIIA Queensland Award to the Chair of the Australia Indonesia Business Council, Dr Kathleen Turner.

The AIIA Queensland Award was established to recognise notable achievement in international affairs in an activity relating to the AIIA’s objective of promoting interest in and understanding of international issues. The Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, with Mrs Kaye de Jersey, hosted a reception at Government House on Tuesday 22 November 2016, where His Excellency presented the 2016 Queensland Award to Dr Turner.

Kathleen Turner is a leading advocate for the enhancement of the bilateral relationship between Australia and Indonesia in Queensland. As honorary Queensland Chair of the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) since 2012, she has helped to more than triple membership and promote the organisation to the point where it is now the leading advisory body for business matters linking Queensland and Indonesia. In addition, Dr Turner has repeatedly promoted the broader bilateral relationship to a wide range of audiences through speeches and presentations at universities and schools as well as industry and cultural events.

President of AIIA Queensland, Geoffrey Ewing, said Dr Turner was a worthy recipient and congratulated her on behalf of the AIIA Qld executive committee and AIIA Qld membership. “Kathleen Turner has been a shining star in increasing cultural and business ties between Australia and Indonesia over the last four years.”