Doorstop Interview – Washing DC – United States of America
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, it’s wonderful to be here in the United States for an official visit, after the invitation of President Biden. The United States’ relationship with Australia is our most important. It’s an alliance that was forged, of course, during World War Two, when under John Curtin, Australia look to America. Ever since then we’ve worked side by side. And the third pillar of our alliance will be a focus this week.
The first pillar, of course, is our defence relationship, making sure that the AUKUS arrangements are put in place, and talking with Congress and Senate about the legislation that’s required to turn this vision into a practical reality.
Secondly, our economic relationship. The free trade agreement is so important for Australia. And the US is our most important two-way trading partner.
And the third element comes from the compact that President Biden and I signed in Hiroshima earlier this year, the compact about climate change and clean energy, critical minerals. This will be a focus of the visit. Making sure that we work together in the Indo-Pacific.
The relationship between Australia and the United States is so important. In today’s turbulent world, it is a relationship that provides security, stability, based upon our common values and our position as great democratic nations working together to promote those values throughout the Indo-Pacific and throughout the world.
JOURNALIST: How important will Gaza be as a topic, Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER: There is no doubt that the focus of the world is on the unrest in the Middle East following Hamas’ invasion, and atrocities that were committed in Israel. And we will no doubt be talking about those issues. Australia and the United States are important partners. We will be having discussions. This is now our ninth meeting, and will be our fifth bilateral meeting between Australia and the United States. It will be a very important visit that comes at a turbulent time for the world. But the good thing about Australia and the United States is that the strength of the relationship means it provides that stability, that security and that comfort with each other that comes from our common values. Thanks very much.