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

Thank you, Senator Fawcett, and thank you for your support for such an important alliance that we have. The Australia-United States alliance is the cornerstone policy of Australia's national security. The alliance is all about assuring our defence and our security interests and shaping a peaceful and prosperous region in our area. Our alliance continues to be a contributor to peace and stability in our region and also globally.

This Sunday I will attend the annual Australia-United States ministerial meeting, AUSMIN, the 34th such meeting. Foreign minister Payne and I will host both the US Secretary of State and also the Secretary of Defense. This AUSMIN provides a timely opportunity to discuss critically important issues, including our defence capability relationships.

Through our alliance Australia is afforded unparalleled access to the most advanced technology, equipment and also intelligence—all central to maintaining the effectiveness of our Australian Defence Force. For example, the Air Force is the only air force outside the United States committed to operate the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.

The alliance also facilitates closer industry cooperation. This in turn strengthens Australia's sovereign defence industrial base, which is a key objective of this government. For example, Australia is also a key partner in the FR-35 Joint Strike Fighter cooperative program. Participation in this program not only enables us to acquire this leading-edge capability, but it also provides the opportunities for Australian companies and Australian workers—like Quickstep, which is developing critical components for the Joint Strike Fighter—to enter lucrative US markets and supply chains. This all means more Australian jobs. These are just some of the great examples of the benefit of our alliance with the United States.