Anthony Albanese calls on Irish ties in White House toast to Bidens
The PM quoted Irish poet William Butler Yeats in his toast to the Bidens, in a nod to shared ancestry, at what was a low-key gathering.
Anthony Albanese quoted Irish poet William Butler Yeats in his toast to President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Biden, in a nod to his and the President’s ancestors from the Emerald Isle.
In a toast that celebrated the strong and growing relationship between the US and Australia, the Prime Minister also reiterated one of president Biden’s refrains that the world is enduring a “long contest between democracy and autocracy”.
“Mr President, speaking as one man with Irish ancestry to another, I know you won’t object to me quoting a Dubliner,” the PM said. “The familiar words of William Butler Yeats – ‘Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold’ – are now more than a century old”.
“But to capture the essence of the bond between our two nations – in all its warmth and its easy strength – I turn to another of his poems.
“Think where man’s glory most begins and ends
“And say my glory was I had such friends”.
Mr Albanese, speaking on the third day of his four-day trip to the US capital, said that among the tumult of the world remained one “great constant … the American spirit.”
“America has never been held back by the unknown or slowed by trepidation. You stride boldly towards the future, excited by all its possibility.”
“In every field of human endeavour, your nation is energised by a ceaseless curiosity – and the confidence to follow it”.
“It is a spirit Australians identify with. With a small population but big imagination, we punch above our weight – all the while drawing inspiration from our friends across the Pacific.”
After a series of joint policy announcements between the two allies, ranging from cybersecurity to climate change and support for Pacific Island nations, Mr Albanese stressed Australia was “always ready to play our part”.
“Most importantly, our nations are close friends. Friends who admire each other’s qualities.
Friends who draw strength from all we have in common, and take joy in our differences”.
Mr Albanese inserted some jokes into his well-received toast, kicking off by telling the audience – and his partner Jodie Haydon sitting in front of him in the audience – that a state dinner was going to be a hard act to follow for future “date nights”.
“It’s all downhill from here my darling,” he said, to laughs from the high-powered audience.
Later, directing his attention to the President standing by his side, he said his “half-Italian, half Irish” ancestry left little doubt about his religion.
Star power absent at low-key White House state dinner
The White House state dinner guest list was is dominated by politicians, diplomats, lobby group chiefs, union leaders, business bosses and political advisers.
The list of guests released as Washington’s power clique arrived at the White House South Lawn pavilion on Wednesday local time revealed no high-profile celebrities in attendance.
As revealed by The Australian this week, ACTU president Michele O’Neil, Macquarie Group chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake, BlueScope chief executive Mark Vassella, University of Canberra chancellor Tom Calma, Lynas chief executive Amanda Lacaze and CSIRO board member Professor Alex Brown attended the state dinner as guests of Anthony Albanese. Australian Rugby League Commission chair and NSW Racing chief executive Peter V’landys also attended.
First Lady Jill Biden toned down plans for a ritzy party-style affair over fears of a backlash amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Dr Biden, who has organised four state dinners, said that she had cancelled a planned performance by the B-52s, known for their hits Rock Lobster and Love Shack, because “so many are facing sorrow and pain”.
The Australian had earlier confirmed that billionaire Visy executive chairman Anthony Pratt was staying away from the scaled-back state dinner after suffering a severe illness.
All of US President Joe Biden’s senior Cabinet secretaries and advisers attended, along with state governors and members of Congress.
Ambassador Kevin Rudd and wife Therese, and US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy and husband Edwin Schlossberg are on the list, which includes former US Ambassadors to Australia.
The first to arrive, with Crowded House hit Don’t Dream it’s Over playing, was North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and wife Kristin.
Despite running campaigns against the Albanese government’s sweeping industrial relations shake-up, Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black, Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox and Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Andrew McKellar also attended.
The menu comprised sarsaparilla-braised short ribs, farro and roasted beet salad, herb vinaigrette butternut squash soup, hazelnut and chocolate mousse cake and creme fraiche ice cream.
Katie Button, who was brought in by the White House as guest chef for the state dinner, is a member of the US Department of State’s American Culinary Corps, a network of more than 80 of the most influential US chefs. Wines served at the state dinner include Windracer Chardonnay Alexander Mountain 2019, Sequel Syrah Columbia Valley 2019 and Argyle Extended Tirage Brut 2012.
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