18 October 1996
Chief Minister Shane Stone's State Visit to Brunei at the invitation of Hassan Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III, Sultan of Brunei and Prime Minister. The meetings were held in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, at the Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan. The State of Brunei held extensive cattle interests in the Northern Territory (a strategic decision to ensure secure meat supplies), had invested in various projects in Darwin, and had staff permanently based in Darwin. Accompanying the Chief Minister were members of the Paspaley family, Mr. Nicholas Paspaley and Mrs Ros Bracher. Also in attendance was Australia's High Commissioner to Brunei H.E Mr Neil Davis. Also accompanying the Delegation was Mrs Josephine Stone who was extended an audience by the two wives of the Sultan, Queen Consort Sulan Pengiran Anak Saleha and Pengiran Isteri Miriam Abdul Aziz. Mrs. Ros Bracher, Paspaley Group Director, and Mrs. Gil Davis accompanied Mrs. Stone. The Chief Minister also met with Mohamed Bolkiah ibni Omar Alt Saifuddeien III head of Brunei Viziers (Advisors to the Sultan), and Foreign Minister. The Chief Minister was prominent in the establishment of the local trade grouping BIMP-EAGA which included Brunei. During his term in office as Australia's first Minister for Asian Relations and Trade Shane Stone was a regular visitor to Brunei.