SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG
LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE 
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

THE HON RICHARD MARLES MP
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, will travel to the United States this week for the 34th Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) on 6 August in Annapolis, Maryland.

They will join their counterparts, US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, and US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III.

The United States is Australia’s closest ally and our principal security partner.

AUSMIN is the premier strategic forum for Australia and the United States, and sets the strategic direction for the alliance and our partnership to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Our steadfast alliance reflects our shared commitment to a world where sovereignty is respected, each country can pursue its own aspirations, and no country dominates or is dominated.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“Australia’s alliance with the United States remains fundamental to our national security.
“We continue to work with the United States on ways to deepen and broaden our alliance, including through the longstanding US Force Posture Initiatives in Australia.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“This visit is an opportunity for action to take our alliance forward.

“Australia and the United States are finding new areas for cooperation and collaboration that will not only boost our own resilience and prosperity but will also deliver for a peaceful Indo-Pacific.

“Australia and the United States are committed to building a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.”

Media Contact:
Foreign Minister's office: +61 2 6277 7500
Deputy Prime Minister's office: +61 2 6277 7800

Authorised by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia.