Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Exercise Talisman Sabre reflects the strengths of the Australia-US alliance and the closeness of our military-to-military relationship. It is our largest and most complex exercise. Over 34,000 military personnel from Australia and the United States participated in Talisman Sabre this year. Talisman Sabre took place at the Defence Shoalwater Bay training area and surrounding state forest near Rockhampton and other locations in Queensland. Force elements from Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand joined in Talisman Sabre.

Talisman Sabre provided an excellent opportunity to further enhance interoperability between Australia and the United States. I'm delighted to report to the Senate that our people, our men and women of the ADF, once again did a magnificent job and did us all proud. I take this opportunity to thank the local community, including landowners, state governments and also the traditional owners. Without their generous support this could not have happened. (Time expired)