SECRETARY TILLERSON: (Applause.) You can try to hide, Mr. Secretary. It’s not going to work. (Laughter.)

Well, first, thanks to all of you for joining us. I know it’s the end of the workday for all of you, but appreciate the opportunity to at least have a moment to say a few words. I want to thank Charge’ Carouso, Consul Fowler, for the leadership they’re providing both in the mission and here in the consular office as well in Sydney.

Secretary Mattis and I have had a really great day of discussions with the AUSMIN, and appreciate the work that all of you did. It helped prepare the way when we come down here for these visits. But very good, substantive discussions. Again, just a reaffirmation of how strong the relationship is with ourselves and with Australia, the important role that all of you play as well.

Also, of course, you had Vice President Pence came through and I know he had a great visit as well. I think, hopefully, what everyone is getting a sense of is how important this region to the administration – a number of visits here, a number of visits throughout the region. And that’s a lot of what our message has been to folks on these trips, is that this is important to us. These relationships are important, and we want to remove any doubt, if there’s any doubt in anyone’s mind, as to how important these relationships are to the United States and to this administration. The best way we know to show that is by coming here and listening – doing a lot of listening – and then hopefully a lot of clarification about where our mutual interests are. And certainly, we have a number of areas of mutual interest with Australia – longstanding and those are going to continue.

So very strong relationships here. The meetings were fantastic. I want to thank all of you again for what you do for us, your colleagues at the mission and what you do for us here in Sydney as well, what your family members do in supporting you in carrying out our mission, and your colleagues around the world. And I know all of you have served elsewhere, served in your careers, and we appreciate that service and the sacrifice that you make and that your families make on our behalf as well. It’s important to us that you have their support. So I’m always pleased to see family members here.

I do want to give my colleague, Secretary Mattis, an opportunity to at least greet you. He can say whatever words he’d like to. We have just a terrific Secretary of Defense here with us, and he’s such a wonderful partner to the State Department, and we work closely on a lot of these issues together.

So please, Secretary Mattis. (Applause.)

SECRETARY MATTIS: I just want to assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that not one week goes by when we’re not face to face. There’s not two days that go by, we’re not on the phones together. And the whole point that I want to give him is I want to buy time. I want to give reinforcing fires and reinforcing efforts. I want to tell him the military factors, but when he’s done, our foreign policy is in the hands of the State Department and carried out for the President with our full support over at DOD.

So we’re with you all the way and my first stop whenever I go into any country – I’ve been to about 15 already – my first stop is with the ambassador and my first question is: What can we do to support you? And we’ll stay in that mode, and if you ever see the DOD not doing that, you let me know because I don’t add stress, I create it. (Laughter.) (Inaudible) from the Secretary of State. No problem – we have the technology to do that. (Laughter.)

(Inaudible) to the Secretary’s point, just to thank you for what you do. In this age, we’re in a constant war of ideas. That’s all there is to it. And our ideas matter, and you represent them well, and there’s a lot riding on your shoulders, so you’re helpful.

But thank you very much for what you do. Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Thank you all. (Applause.)

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The Overseas Schools Advisory Council of the Department of State will hold its summer meeting on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. in conference room 1482, Marshall Center, in the Harry S. Truman Building at 2201 C Street NW, Washington DC. The meeting will last until approximately 12:00 p.m. and is open to the public with limited seating available. This meeting will discuss the work and the support Overseas Schools Advisory Council provides to American-sponsored overseas schools. Topics will include the World Virtual School and the Child Protection Project. In addition, the Regional Education Officers will present on various activities and initiatives in American-sponsored overseas schools.

Public access to the Department of State is controlled and space is limited. Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting should telephone Dr. Keith Miller, at (202) 261-8200, by June 8, to make arrangements to attend and, if necessary, request reasonable accommodations. The public may take part in the discussion, time permitting and at the discretion of the chairman. All attendees must use the 21st Street entrance to the building.

Media Contact: Rich Barbacane, BarbacaneRF@state.gov, 202-261-8208.

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On 5 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, and Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne, hosted U.S. Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Sydney for the annual Australia-United States Ministerial (AUSMIN) consultations.

AUSMIN 2017, the 27th AUSMIN meeting and the first under the Trump Administration, builds on the meeting between our leaders on May 4 in New York that demonstrated the continued closeness of the Australia-U.S. relationship. The strength and vitality of our Alliance is based on a shared commitment to freedom and democracy and has enduring importance in our respective national security, foreign and strategic policies.

Bilateral defense, security, and intelligence cooperation under the Alliance is as important today as it was when the ANZUS Treaty was signed in 1951. 2017 marks the 75^th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea and the 50^th anniversary of the Joint Defense Facility Pine Gap, with the 100^th anniversary in 2018 of Australian and U.S. forces first fighting together at the World War I Battle of Hamel. Today, both countries are working side by side in Iraq and Syria as part of the global coalition against ISIS, and continue to make military contributions to Afghanistan’s security.

Australia and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to the Alliance at AUSMIN 2017, and decided to further expand defence and security cooperation, including: a commitment to further strengthen the interoperability of our armed forces; and continued close collaboration on capability development and defence technology. We confirmed our commitment to full implementation of the U.S.-Australia Force Posture Initiatives.

Australia and the United States underlined their shared, deepening commitment to the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region, and to strong regional organisations, especially the East Asia Summit, APEC, and the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus. They urged all parties to refrain from further militarisation of disputed features, including in the South China Sea (SCS). They emphasised the importance of upholding lawful freedom of navigation and overflight and adhering to the rules-based order. They considered the 2016 award by the Arbitral Tribunal under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as a useful basis for further efforts to peacefully resolve disputes in the SCS. They decided to increase bilateral collaboration in relation to the Indo-Pacific, with a number of activities to be taken forward ahead of AUSMIN 2018.

Both countries condemned North Korea’s ongoing development of nuclear and missile programs and expressed their deep concern at the unacceptable threat this posed to the region and the world. They committed to working closely together and with regional partners to implement sanctions and impose costs on the regime for its destabilising behaviour and dangerous and unlawful pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Both countries discussed the importance of working with regional partners to address regional security challenges, including terrorism and the threat of returning foreign fighters, cyber threats, and maritime security, and to support regional stability and prosperity. Australia and the United States pledged to continue to strengthen their trilateral cooperation with Japan, and to enhance their engagement with our regional allies and partners. In the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the UK, the Philippines, Indonesia, and elsewhere, the United States and Australia discussed ways to work together to counter terrorism, in the region and globally.

Australia and the United States discussed our shared interest in the strength, growth and economic future of our Pacific neighbourhood. Both countries resolved to deepen bilateral dialogue on the Pacific and to strengthen cooperation with Pacific Island countries, including in the areas of maritime security, combatting trans-national threats to a secure Pacific, and APEC 2018 in Papua New Guinea.

The United States will host the next AUSMIN meeting in 2018.

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Greetings on behalf of the United States on the occasion of the 168^th anniversary of the adoption of the Danish constitution.

The United States and Denmark have enjoyed a close partnership since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1801. Denmark’s strong support of NATO, and its valuable contributions in the fight against terrorism, promotes stability and security in Europe and around the world.

We are proud to call Denmark an ally and friend. Best wishes to all Danes as you celebrate this special day.

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President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull affirmed the enduring bonds, deep friendship, and close alliance between the United States and Australia during their May 4, 2017 meeting. Together, the United States and Australia are building a more secure and stable world. The ANZUS Treaty has been in place for 65 years, during which it has provided for our mutual defense and anchored the rules-based international system that has been central to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Asia-Pacific and beyond.

The U.S.-Australia alliance is, however, more than a treaty: it’s a bond of friendship between our nations and peoples that has fueled mutual economic growth through expanded trade and investment, supported scientific inquiry and technological innovation, and promoted cultural and educational connections that enrich our societies.

• Investment: Significant two-way investment benefits both of our countries and workforces. The United States is Australia’s largest foreign investor and the number one destination for Australian investment. In 2016, the stock of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) by the United States was $146 billion (A$195 billion), accounting for 24.5% of total Australian FDI. At $646 billion (A$860.9 billion), the total stock of U.S. foreign investment in Australia represents 27% of all foreign investment in Australia. By the end of 2016, two-way direct and indirect investment between the United States and Australia was worth $1.11 trillion (A$1.48 trillion). As of 2013-2014, the United States had 842 majority-owned foreign affiliates in Australia, with assets totaling $482.8 billion (A$652.6 billion), sales of $181.6 billion (A$245.27 billion), and 335,000 employees. These affiliates added value worth $36.3 billion (A$48.3 billion) to the Australian economy. U.S.-based majority-owned affiliates of Australian companies employed 94,800 people in 2014 with sales of $60.7 billion.

• Engagement: U.S.-Australia engagement has never been more robust. Since the start of 2017, President Trump and Prime Minister Turnbull met in New York; Vice President Pence visited Australia; Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs visited the United States several times; and ministers, cabinet secretaries, and senior defense officials pursue regular visits and exchanges. Australia’s active U.S. Parliamentary Friendship Group has a broad and growing membership, the U.S. Senate re-established its Friends of Australia Caucus, and the U.S. House of Representatives is forming a Friends of Australia Caucus. Frequent exchanges and visits between Congressional and Parliamentary delegations continue, as well as between senior state/territory and local officials.

• Education/Travel: Travel between the two countries is increasing, as more Americans and more Australians are crossing the Pacific to study, to work, and to play. The United States is the top destination for Australian students studying abroad, and the number two destination for American students in Asia. Since 1949, five thousand Fulbright students and scholars have studied, taught, and lectured at university campuses across the United States and Australia. Over one million Australians visited the United States in 2016, an increase of 4.7 per cent on the previous year, with over 690,400 visitors arriving in Australia from the United States in 2016.

• Intelligence/Law Enforcement: Information sharing and coordination are at all-time highs, allowing us to foil terrorist attacks, break up transnational crime networks, and put a stop to money laundering and illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons, and people. This cooperation grows stronger each day. As just one example, Australia has disrupted twelve domestic terrorist plots since 2014. U.S.-Australia law enforcement and intelligence cooperation supported many of these efforts. Australia and the United States are also working closely to address the growing threat of cybercrime, including through increased exchanges of law enforcement and cybercrime experts.

• Security Cooperation: The ANZUS Treaty underpins Australia and the United States’ close security relationship. The U.S.-Australia Force Posture Initiatives, announced in 2011, have enhanced the readiness and interoperability of our militaries. The 2017 rotation of the Marine Rotational Force in Darwin will be the largest to date. Enhanced Aircraft Cooperation began in February 2017 with the arrival of a squadron of F-22 Raptors at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal. An Australian general serves as the Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) in Hawaii. The 2017 Talisman Saber joint and combined military training exercise will involve more than 30,000 Australian and U.S. troops. We work closely together to lead global efforts to defeat ISIS and address the broad range of transnational crimes throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

• Defense Industry: Australia is a major development partner for critical U.S. defense programs, including the F-35 Lighting II/Joint Strike Fighter, the P-8, the NextGen jammer, and the Triton UAS. U.S. defense firms such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman invest millions of U.S. dollars in Australian communities, contribute to Australian exports, and create thousands of high-paying jobs. The 2007 U.S.-Australia Defense Trade Treaty underpins this trade, permitting the license-free export of most defense articles between the countries in support of combined military operations, cooperative defense research, and other projects for government end-use. Australia is also one of America’s largest defense customers, supporting thousands of jobs in the United States and maximizing our joint defense capability.

• Energy: U.S. energy companies have invested approximately $100 billion (A$135.2 billion) in Australia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, which will help Australia remain one of the world’s largest LNG exporters. Chevron’s Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG projects represent the largest single investment by a company in Australia.

• Trade: The Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) has expanded fair, free, and high-standard bilateral trade for 12 years, and continues to strengthen commercial ties between the two markets. Two-way trade totaled $62 billion (A$83 billion) in 2016. The United States is the second largest two-way trade partner for Australia, and is a top destination for Australian beef, aircraft parts, and boats. Aircraft and farm machinery, meanwhile, are among the biggest exports from the United States to Australia.

• Science: In November 2016, the United States and Australia renewed a broad science and technology cooperation agreement in place since 1968. The agreement supports near limitless scientific endeavors, including projects related to fisheries, biometrics, quantum computing, and nuclear threat reduction. In 2017, Australia announced the opening of a new Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) office in Silicon Valley, further driving opportunities for scientific cooperation.

• Space: U.S.-Australia cooperation in space exploration began with the establishment of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the 1950s and continues to grow today. Scientists and engineers from Australia’s CSIRO and NASA, working together at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) in the Australian Capital Territory, have supported communications for the landing of rovers on Mars, the arrival of New Horizons to Pluto, and the entry of Juno into orbit around Jupiter. CDSCC is one of the largest NASA tracking and communication facilities outside the United States, and thanks to $120 million in investments from NASA, the complex inaugurated two new satellite dishes in 2014 and 2016 that are critical to Mars and other deep space mission communications. In 2017, the United States and Australia will renew the agreement that underpins cooperation between NASA and CSIRO on space exploration, a relationship critical to the Journey to Mars and other major advancements in the world’s understanding of the cosmos.

• Innovation: Innovation links our economies as never before. Cutting-edge U.S. companies have established research and development centers in Australia. As part of the Australian National Innovation and Science Agenda, the Australian government has established a “Landing Pad” in San Francisco to facilitate cooperation by U.S. and Australian entrepreneurs. Australian scientists, researchers, and innovators enjoy maximum access to America’s world-class innovation ecosystem, and U.S. academics and researchers travel extensively to Australia to share their findings and learn further from their Australian counterparts.

• Conservation: U.S. and Australian government agencies are working together to advance global goals in food security, weather forecasting, and biodiversity. Both countries are members of the U.S.-led Safe Ocean Network and the Australia-led International Partnership for Blue Carbon, and are parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which promotes conservation of marine living resources and limits fishing in the Southern Ocean. Zoos and universities in the United States and Australia are working collaboratively to save threatened species, such as the iconic Tasmanian devil. The two countries share best practices, personnel, and technology and equipment to combat wildland fires under the 2017 Wildland Fire Management Agreement.

• Health: The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) cooperate on a wide range of diseases, research, and patient care. They are working together on new ways to understand, treat, prevent, and cure brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, autism, and epilepsy through the Brain Research through Advancing Neuroethologies (BRAIN) Initiative. The NIH, the NHRMC, and top U.S. and Australian research institutes are also exploring precision medicine, biomedical big data, and small molecule discovery. Similarly, the NIH and Macquarie University, Children’s Medical Research Institute, the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and Bioplatforms Australia are collaborating in clinical proteogenomic studies and their translation to cancer care. The United States and Australia cooperate on HIV/AIDS research, prevention, and treatment, including through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The two countries work together to build and strengthen health system capacities, including addressing antimicrobial resistance, human resources for health, and infrastructure within the Asia Pacific region. Both countries are strongly committed to the Global Health Security Agenda and supporting partner countries to implement the International Health Regulations.

• Agriculture: U.S.-Australia trade, investment, and cooperation occur across the agricultural sector, including significant two-way trade in counter-seasonal agricultural commodities. Meetings and research cooperation between Australian and U.S. experts on grains, livestock, meat, fruit, cotton, biofuels, and sugar research occur regularly.

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