Government House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
9 October 2019
The Governor-General is pleased to announce the following honorary appointment within the General Division of the Order of Australia:
ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Honorary Companion (AC)
His Excellency Mr Mark RUTTE, The Netherlands
For eminent service to Australia's bilateral relationship with the Netherlands and his outstanding leadership in response to the MH17 air disaster.
By His Excellency’s Command
Paul Singer MVO
Official Secretary to the Governor-General
APPOINTED AN HONORARY COMPANION (AC)
IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
His Excellency Mr Mark RUTTE, The Netherlands
For eminent service to Australia's bilateral relationship with the Netherlands and his outstanding leadership in response to the MH17 air disaster.
During his time as Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr Mark Rutte has significantly enhanced the long-standing bilateral relationship between Australia and the Netherlands.
Mr Rutte's strong determination to seek truth, justice and accountability for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, in which both our countries suffered significant loss of life, reflects his unwavering commitment to the rules-based global system and service to humanity.
This award particularly recognises Mr Rutte's outstanding leadership in establishing the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) based in the Netherlands, which is pursuing criminal prosecutions of those suspected of involvement in the downing of MH17, through the Dutch national court system.
Mr Rutte was instrumental in harnessing a collective effort, led by the Netherlands and Australia, to recover and repatriate the victims of the tragedy to respective countries with dignity and compassion - including the 38 victims who called Australia home.
Australia and the Netherlands are long-standing friends and partners. We share common interests and democratic values. With Mr Rutte's collaborative leadership, we have enhanced our cooperation and dialogue on international security, trade and investment, and on the promotion of international rules, norms and institutions. He has also strongly supported the growing economic partnership and engagement between our countries.