Bruce Scott (Maranoa, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I present the committee’s report entitled Australia’s defence relations with the United States.

Ordered that the report be made a parliamentary paper.

The security treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America, the ANZUS treaty, which came into force on 29 April 1952 is a key element supporting Australia’s national security. The treaty has operated for more than 50 years and still remains relevant in a strategic environment increasingly challenged by terrorism and non-state actors. It is as a result of this environment that the treaty was first invoked following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Since World War II, Australia and the United States have developed strong defence relations. In particular, the last decade has seen a new level of defence relations encompassing Australian involvement in the first Gulf War and Australian involvement in the US led coalition in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Evidence given to the committee was overwhelmingly in favour of the alliance and the security that it provides for Australia. There was some discussion about the ongoing relevance of the treaty and whether there was a need to enhance it to more broadly reflect contemporary strategic needs. Whilst there was little support for renegotiating the treaty, some groups suggested that traditional alliances will need to adjust considerably to defeat the asymmetric threats faced by Western allies in the 21st century. Other groups cautioned that Australia should be more careful in how it manages the alliance to ensure Australia’s interests are not subsumed by those of its larger alliance partner.

The committee, through its inquiry, has examined how Australia’s alliance with the US impacts on the security of the Asia-Pacific region. Evidence given to the inquiry strongly supported US engagement in the Asia-Pacific region and indicated that Australia’s relationship with the US is seen by most countries as a positive influence on regional security. The committee found that Australia and the US could do more to encourage the development of democratic processes in the security forces of Indonesia and it has encouraged the US to lift legislative restrictions on US training assistance for the Indonesian military. The committee has also considered the impact on the Australia-US defence relationship of the emergence of a more powerful and assertive China. The committee found that Australia’s relationships with both the US and China are such that Australia has the potential to act to ease any future tensions that might emerge between these powers.

In undertaking this inquiry, the committee has received significant assistance from both the Australian and US departments of defence, including support for the delegation to the United States to seek its perspective on the alliance. During this interaction, even the most senior US military personnel have consistently reported on the excellence of the performance of the Australian Defence Force in all training and operational activities. This performance bolsters Australia’s contribution to the alliance and earns great credit for the Australian Defence Force and Australia.

The challenges faced by Australia in its region and internationally will continue to be met in concert with our US ally. Australia’s defence investment will ensure that Australia continues as an effective and reliable alliance partner as well as a self-reliant regional power.

I thank the staff of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade for their excellent assistance in drafting this report and for their organisational help prior to the committee’s departure for the United States.

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