Minister Payne meets with US officials to highlight strength of relationship

The Minister for Defence, the Hon Marise Payne, has met the US Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter, in Washington DC, to reaffirm the strength of the Australia–US alliance, and to discuss opportunities to further deepen cooperation.

Minister Payne said the meeting was an important opportunity to reinforce the strength of Australia–US Defence alliance.

“Our alliance with the US is based upon shared values and common perceptions of regional and global developments.

“Australia and the US share the conviction that a stable, rules based global order is central to regional peace and prosperity.

“We will broaden and deepen our alliance including through continued support of the rebalance of US military forces to our region,” Minister Payne said.

Minister Payne and Secretary Carter welcomed the in-principle finalisation of negotiations for US Force Posture Initiatives cost-sharing arrangements. This agreement provides the way forward for the full implementation of the initiatives, in line with the March 2015 Force Posture Agreement.

Minister Payne also reaffirmed Australia’s substantial military commitment to the US-led international coalition to combat Daesh, and discussed the importance of a longer-term political and military strategy to defeat this terrorist threat in Iraq and Syria.

During her visit to Washington DC, Minister Payne also met with senior officials and analysts to discuss the bilateral defence relationship and regional security and stability.

Media contacts:

Henry Budd (Senator Payne's office) 0429 531 143

Defence Media (02) 6127 1999