U.S. – Australia Relations
Speech to the Toronto R.S.L. Sub Branch on the Australian / United States Alliance
Toronto, New South Wales — 19 August 2008
The Hon. Greg Combet MP Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement
Speech
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Good Afternoon,
I would also like to thank the Toronto RSL Sub-branch for hosting us today - it’s always a pleasure to return to this beautiful location.
It is my pleasure to be here, both as your local member, and to introduce Mrs. Fergin to speak on the important subject of the Australia-US alliance _ this is an important topic to be discussing not just because the United States is our friend and partner, but also because the US has a vital role to play in the provision of global peace, security and prosperity.
At the heart of the relationship between our two countries is our 57 year old alliance.
But our relationship goes back much further. This month it is a hundred years since President Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet arrived in Australia. Thousands stood on the harbour foreshores to catch a glimpse of 384,000 tons of white-painted steel gliding through Sydney Heads announcing America’s arrival as a power in the Asia Pacific region.
Australia took note, and saw in this new power many common ideals and shared values. Almost immediately a close friendship and trust began to grow between our two nations.
The Australian Government at the time also used the opportunity of the Great White Fleet’s visit to sway the Australian parliament to fund the building of our own Australian fleet creating an early connection between our two navies.
Only ten years after the visit of the Great White Fleet our troops were to fight side-by-side for the first time in the Battle of Hamel on 4 July 1918 where American troops fought under an Australian commander, General John Monash.
When Australia faced the real threat of foreign invasion during the Second World War, in the words of our then Prime Minister John Curtin, Australia looked "to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom."
In the darkest days of World War Two, Australia and the United States stood together, fought together and died together to restore peace to the Pacific.
This war was a critical turning point in strategic thinking, of both our nations and made the governments of Australia and the United States see the value of a more formal alliance between our two like-minded countries.
Signed in 1951, the ANZUS Treaty remains the bedrock of Australia’s strategic policy.
The ANZUS treaty continues to be an important part of the Australian-US defence relationship today. It is representative of how highly Australia values the relationship with the US that the ANZUS Treaty was invoked for the first time following the 11 September attacks on the US.
During Prime Minister Rudd’s March-April visit to the United States he strongly reaffirmed this government's commitment to the ANZUS Alliance. Today, at a time when both our countries are involved in combat operations against a common foe, the government sees a strong alliance relationship as critical to Australia’s security.
The Prime Minister also made clear that for Australia the continued presence of the United States in our region is vital to strategic stability in the Asia-Pacific - both now and for the future.
Australia strongly supports continued engagement by the US in the region through its network of alliances and close strategic relationships, as this serves regional stability and complements our commitment to a cooperative approach to the Asia Pacific region.
It is this sort of special relationship that has allowed both countries to improve the ease of transfer of technology between us by agreeing to pursue a Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty.
We look forward to the ratification of the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty by the US Senate and continued efforts by the US to improve the processes for release of technology to Australia.
I was recently in the United States to inspect some of the major procurement projects of interest to the ADF, namely the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft and the Joint Strike Fighter programs. I am happy to report that both officials within the US Government and defence industry are very committed to ensuring that they deliver us a high level of capability.
I also had the pleasure earlier this year of announcing the activation for Australia of the Wideband Global Satellite Communications network - the direct result of a partnership between Australia and the United States. A partnership that has seen a significant step forward in the ADF’s satellite and communications capability.
It is through real practical cooperation such as this that the alliance proves itself relevant and effective for both countries.
The alliance today has a comprehensive character which generates significant and increasing benefits for both sides. Regardless of how expansive our defence activities with the United States become, it is evident to both sides that at the core of the relationship is a mutual undertaking to support one another.
The Australia-US alliance is one of the 3 pillars of Labor’s foreign policy along with our engagement with the United Nations and our commitment to engagement with our own region.
It is the history upon which our relationship with the United States is based and the commitment of both nations through testing times that makes the Australian relationship with the United States both special and unique.
We know that whatever the result of the upcoming elections in the United States, the Australia-US relationship remains sound. Since the signing of the ANZUS agreement our alliance has been supported by 11 US Presidents - Republican and Democrat - and 11 Australian Prime Ministers - Labor and Liberal.
It is an alliance based on our common values and shared interests, not only between governments but also the people of both nations.
Which is why it gives me great pleasure in introducing today’s keynote speaker, US Consul General to Sydney, Mrs. Judith Fergin.
Mrs. Fergin knows first hand what makes Americans and Australians such firm friends. She participated in a diplomatic exchange program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in Canberra from 2002 to 2003 and served as Economic Counsellor at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra from 2003 to 2004.
Mrs. Fergin took up her posting as U.S. Consul General in Sydney in July 2007. She is a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service with the rank of Minister Counsellor.
Mrs. Fergin has also served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore as well as postings in Jakarta, Moscow, Pretoria, and Washington, D.C.
Her education includes a Masters degree from the University of Virginia, USA in international relations and a Masters from the National Defense University, USA in national resource management.
As I’m sure you are, I’m looking forward to Judith’s insights on the Australia-United States relationship.
Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Judith Fergin.
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Last update: Wednesday, 20 August 2008 GMT+1000
