Australia-US alliance ‘more important than ever’: AAA head Steven Marshall

Australia’s alliance with the United States has never been more important amid rising geopolitical tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific, the head of The American Australian Association says.

Australia’s alliance with the United States is “more important than ever before” amid rising geopolitical tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific, Steven Marshall says.

The American Australian Association (AAA) head says Australia is the US’s “southern anchor” and will play a “pivotal role” in maintaining peace and stability.

Mr Marshall’s comments come as the courage of Australian and American servicemen and women during the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea was celebrated at the association’s inaugural Commemorative Veterans’ Dinner at the Australian War Memorial on Wednesday night.

“We have got an extremely important relationship with them going back to the ANZUS Treaty of 1951. It’s been a great treaty for us, but it’s going to become increasingly important going forward,” the former SA premier said.

“The Indo-Pacific is absolutely crucial to the US at this point in time.

“There’s no doubt that there is an increasingly complex situation in our region, and that’s why the ANZUS Treaty, the alliance with the US, is more important than ever before.”

The former SA premier says the Indo-Pacific is “absolutely crucial” to the US. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke with US President Donald Trump on Monday about the historic AUKUS pact, with the G7 meeting in Canada next month the earliest opportunity for their first face-to-face meeting.

Mr Marshall said AUKUS was an “enormous opportunity” for the two nations, adding Mr Trump was “extraordinarily supportive”.

Beyond access to submarines, he said vital changes passed through the US Congress last year had removed hurdles for Australian to get its defence and cutting-edge technologies into the US – the largest defence and national security market in the world.

“The new Trump administration is very interested in areas of artificial intelligence, data centers, critical minerals, defence, space, cyber and tech – and these are all areas where Australia has enormous expertise and capability,” Mr Marshall said.

“It’s not just a business opportunity. It’s really to strengthen our national security, and doing that in partnership with the US and the UK is absolutely critical for Australia.”

Anthony Albanese spoke with Donald Trump on Monday about the historic AUKUS pact.

The US came to Australia’s aid during the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea, halting Japan’s southward advance and preventing the seaborne invasion of Port Moresby.

In 1948, the AAA was founded by Sir Keith Murdoch to promote, enhance and strengthen the bonds between the two nations.

News Corp Australia’s community ambassador Penny Fowler – who attended the event – said the AAA had not only endured in the decades since, but the close strategic, commercial and cultural links it helped nurture continue to flourish.

“My grandfather, Sir Keith Murdoch, had the foresight to establish the AAA after the heat and confusion of the Second World War – overcoming its challenges to help build a brighter future for both of our nations,” Mrs Fowler said.

“Many of that war’s participants are sadly no longer with us but their sacrifice and the Battle for the Coral Sea in May 1942 provided important momentum to the AAA’s creation.

“It is incumbent upon all of us that we pause and remember that time and the wonderful friendship our nation struck with the USA in the years that followed.”

Head of the Australian Navy Mark Hammond AO, and Charge d’Affaires Erika Olson also addressed the commemoration.