Australia's strategic alliance with the United States of America and Western Australia's pivotal role in the fast-growing Indo-Pacific region will be discussed in Perth this week at the 27th annual Australian American Leadership Dialogue (AALD).
Last held in Perth in 2011, the AALD will include eminent leaders from Australian and US politics, business, media and tertiary institutions.
Participants include several members of the US Senate and House of Representatives; Commonwealth Ministers; Former Head of the US National Security Agency (NSA), ADM Michael Rogers (Retired); Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan; Australian Ambassador to the US, Hon Joe Hockey; US Ambassador to Australia, Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr; Senior representation from Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and executives from strategically important enterprises such as Virgin Australia, Delta Airlines, BHP, ECU, Curtin University, Microsoft, Boeing, Chevron and Lockheed Martin Space.
AALD topics will include defence and security, trade, AI and robotics, space, cyber security, global energy supply chains, digital transformation and ethics in the digital age.
As stated by Defence Issues Minister Paul Papalia:
"The Western Australian Government welcomes delegates from across Australia and the US to this incredibly important dialogue.
"The long-term trade, cultural and defence relationship between the US and Australia has never been more important; the Perth AALD will help shape our future bilateral agreements and policy.
"Western Australia has a growing role to play in supporting a secure and vibrant Indo-Pacific region and the McGowan Government is focused on growing our capacity to support the defence industry and fostering innovation.
"I look forward to participating in the 2019 AALD program and hearing the views of the US and Australian delegates visiting Perth."
