Washington| When US president Joe Biden met two Australian chief executives during the past month, it only confirmed what everyone had already suspected – the country that some American politicians are calling the “anchor of democracy in the Pacific” is having a rare moment in Washington.

One of the chief executives was Jane Hunter, the head of Tritium, which is one of Australia’s most successful electric vehicle companies. The meeting was significant, not only because Hunter snapped up a prime photo opportunity with the President, but because she was able to provide input to US domestic policy – something quite unprecedented for the boss of an Australian company.