Ben Morton (Tangney, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support this motion and the 65 years of the ANZUS Treaty between the United States of America and Australia, a friendship between our nations that is measured by far more than the 6½ decades that have passed. We are allies, partners and friends. We share fundamental values. We share a high level of trust built with decades of close cooperation. With ever-shifting relationships around the world, it is so important to respect our longest standing ones.

The alliance of our nations provide for our mutual defence and regional stability and, importantly, extends to trade, investment and economic growth for both nations. The US is Australia's largest source of foreign direct investment, at some 23 per cent. US is also our second-largest trading partner in terms of goods and services. At A$800 billion, US foreign investment in Australia is nearly double that of the number two investor, Japan, another of Australia's regional neighbours and friends.

As members on both sides stand in this place to speak to this motion today, the friendship between the United States and Australia has never been stronger. Following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, President Trump and Prime Minister Turnbull reaffirmed the US-Australia alliance and the commitment of our countries to have cooperation on a growing list of global challenges. Over the last three years alone, the President, Vice-President and half of the President's cabinet have visited Australia. More than 100 congressional delegations have travelled to meet with us. There have been more than 500 visits to Australia by senior US defence officials. Similarly, Australia's parliamentary leaders, departmental officials, and our serving men and women have visited the US to further our nation's engagement with our closest ally.

Ours is an alliance of true friends who share common values and whose interests overwhelmingly align. We share democracy and an independent judicial system, both nations fight with every breath to defend freedom of speech, and our citizens are free to make their own decisions without fear of imprisonment or bloodshed. We are innovative nations and we champion enterprise. Our nations are strong foundations for those that want to apply their own effort and achieve their every potential for their family, for their community, for their business and for our countries. This is why we are committed long-term partners.

Australia has fought beside the United States in every major war or conflict since World War I. In 2018, on 4 July, Australia and the US will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Hamel. This battle was the first time US forces were placed under the command of another nation. Australia's General Sir John Monash led the US 33rd Division in its first action in that war. The Allied victory owed much to Monash's detailed planning. The US-Australia cooperation quickly overran German positions and took 1,000 prisoners.

Australian and US defence forces remain deeply integrated. We work closely with the United States on counterterrorism in South East Asia. Our forces have strong links in the coalition as we fight against ISIS. Our special forces personnel have played key roles in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our intelligence agencies work at the highest level of cooperation.

I speak in support of this motion and I also speak in tribute to my friend the member for Canning who moved it. His commitment to our country as a member of the Special Air Service Regiment is a sacrifice few Australians make to serving our country and our military. He knows very well, personally, the importance of our alliance with the United States, the strength of our shared fundamental values and the personal sacrifice it takes to build peace, prosperity and democracy in the face of radical and ideologically opposed enemies. He knows the deep trust and friendship of the alliance from serving alongside US defence personnel.

Prime Minister John Howard, at a reception on the occasion of the 50 years of the Australia-United States alliance held at the Sydney Opera House, recalled Sir Robert Menzies to illustrate the strength of the relationship that exists between Australia and the US. When Menzies—who was Prime Minister of Australia when the ANZUS treaty was signed—retired in 1966, he was asked at his final press conference to nominate his greatest accomplishment in government. Without hesitation, he said it was the treaty between the United States, Australia and New Zealand, signed in 1951: the ANZUS treaty. I share this commitment to our US ally, our partner and our friend.

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