Dr Dennis Jensen MP

We take pride in the decision of the President of the United States to visit Australia.

As Tony Abbott said last night in his address to a dinner in honour the President, like the US, we are a country that has beckoned the poor; we are one nation indivisible under God seeking liberty and justice for all. To Australia, the President of the United States stands for power tempered with goodwill, wealth with justice and energy with wisdom.

The decision to give the US military enhanced access to Australian military bases is appropriate and is welcome. This is the result of work begun between the US and Australia under the Howard Government. This is in Australia’s security interests and will assist the US, the bedrock of global security and stability.

In 2011 Australia and the US mark 60 years since Sir Robert Menzies and President Truman agreed to formalise our alliance under the ANZUS treaty. It is fitting that this milestone should coincide with the deepening of our military co-operation. We will see, for the first time since World War II, the stationing in Australia of significant numbers of US personnel and hardware.

The warmth of relations evident during the President’s visit is indicative of the strength of a friendship between our two nations dating back many decades, including times when we stood should to shoulder to defence the freedom of our peoples.

Tony Abbott’s visit this week to Australian forces in Afghanistan underlines our support of the work of our armed forces. It’s important and valuable to have Australian armed forces deployed in places where they can make a difference. We’re on the ground to do good and significant work in Afghanistan, including mentoring soldiers, mentoring police and helping build a long-term strong, peaceful and sustainable future for that nation.

John Howard demonstrated it’s possible to have both a strong military relationship with the United States and a strong and healthy economic relationship with China. Australia will continue to build strong and close ties across the Asia Pacific Region, as will the United States. There is no contradiction between maintaining our ties with the United States and maintaining our strong relationships with our friends and neighbours across the Asia-Pacific.