Scott Morrison to push SA’s defence, space interests in meeting with US President Donald Trump
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at a rare White House State Dinner — and SA’s defence and space interests will be front of mind.
SA News
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Crucial South Australian interests in defence and space will be at the heart of the Prime Minister’s US state visit, when he meets President Donald Trump and senior officials to “further strengthen our alliance”.
Scott Morrison will fly to the US within days for a week-long trip that will include high-level meetings at the White House and space agency NASA, as well enjoy being guest of honour at a rare State Dinner in Washington, DC.
Accompanied by wife Jenny, the PM will also address the United Nations in New York and speak to business leaders.
Announcing the trip’s details on Monday, Mr Morrison said he would be promoting Australian business and government interests including in space and defence as well as other “cutting-edge science and technology initiatives”.
“There is no deeper friendship than that which exists between Australia and the United States,” he said.
“This visit will be a valuable opportunity to further strengthen our security and economic partnership.”
In what is being viewed as a coup for SA, Federal Government sources told The Advertiser that space was of particular interest due its “huge opportunity for collaboration and investment”.
Details of the trip have delighted the State Government. The Australian Space Agency is being established at Lot Fourteen on the former Royal Adelaide Hospital site, in the East End. It aims to triple the size of the local space industry by 2030, increasing its revenue to at least $12 billion and creating more than 20,000 jobs.
After holding talks with Mr Trump in the Oval Office, Mr Morrison will also meet US Cabinet members, including Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper to “discuss how we can further strengthen our alliance and already close partnership”, the PM said.
The Morrisons will attend a White House State Dinner at the invitation of Mr Trump.
Officials described it as an “extraordinarily rare” honour for an Australian leader, the last being 14 years ago when John Howard visited then President George W. Bush.
During his visit to NASA’s headquarters, Mr Morrison will “welcome greater US-Australia co-operation on space”.
In an interview with The Advertiser last month, US Ambassador Arthur B. Culvahouse indicated scope for further co-operation between the Adelaide-based space agency and NASA would likely be an important topic for the two leaders.
Mr Morrison will then travel to Chicago and the Midwest, where he will meet young Australian tech entrepreneurs.
Mr Trump and Mr Morrison will visit an Australian-owned manufacturing business in Wapakoneta, Ohio, 182km north of Cincinnati — the hometown of the late Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong.
“This visit will demonstrate the strong trade and investment relationship between the United States and Australia,” White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said.
While addressing the UN’s 74th General Assembly session, the PM will speak about our “national statement and advance Australia’s interests in the protection of the oceans and preventing terrorist use of the internet”.
Premier Steven Marshall told The Advertiser he had “unashamedly” lobbied the PM “at every opportunity” about SA’s defence, space and cyber capabilities.
He said Mr Morrison’s interest in SA was “fantastic” and it also showed he backed SA’s “vision”. He said the US relationship was “crucial” for our economy. “It’s clear that South Australia is now driving the growth of Australia’s space sector and defence industry, creating hi-tech jobs,” he said.
“SA’s space odyssey continues to gather speed. As our industry grows and develops, we will soon hit warp speed.”