Loading
“Combined between the US and the UK,all of our nuclear-powered ships have travelled the entire globe,around the entire globe,more than 150 million miles. That’s going to the moon 350 times. We can’t figure out how to get a sub to the moon but we’ll figure it out,” Biden said.
Albanese held his own on stage as he spoke of Australia’s determination to promote security in the region “by investing in our relationships”.
This particular investment – projected to cost up to $368 billion between now and the mid-2050s – is one for the ages.
“What the United States,Great Britain and Australia hold in common is more fundamental and more universal than our shared histories,” Albanese said,never faltering as he met his moment on the world stage.
“We are bound,above all,by our belief in a world where the sovereignty of every nation is respected – and the inherent dignity of every individual is upheld.”
It was left to Sunak to bell the cat and address why this alliance came to be.
He warned of a “world defined by danger,disorder,and division” in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and he mentioned China by name.
In the crowd of dignitaries and security details,members of congress,including “AUKUS caucus” chairman Joe Courtney,rubbed shoulders with military brass,while US ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy obligingly posed for photos.
Kennedy – whose father John F Kennedy was invoked in the speeches – was quick to agree this opened a new chapter in history.
Loading
“It’s historic for Australia because the US is sharing our most sensitive technology for the first time since[it was shared with] the UK,but it’s historic for the United States as well because Australia is just emerging as such a significant ally,” she said.
“I mean,it always has been – but I this is really going to take it to another level.”
Australia’s Ambassador to the US,Arthur Sinodinos,came to the event as one of his last duties before handing over to incoming ambassador Kevin Rudd.
“As I’ve said before,this is a moonshot. It’s a whole-of-nation effort. Failure is not an option.”
At one point,a reporter asked US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin how much of a big deal this was.
He didn’t reply,but White House Indo-Pacific co-ordinator Kurt Campbell,who was walking behind him,summed it up neatly:“It’s an effing big deal!”
Cut through the noise of federal politics with news,views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weeklyInside Politics newsletter here.