Reception in Celebration of the 241st Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America

Premier and Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, service chiefs – from the United States and Australian defence forces, Admiral, Captain, all distinguished guests.

It is my great honour, as the representative of our Head of State, with my wife Kaye, to welcome to this our Queensland capital, Brisbane, the very fine men and women of the USS Ronald Reagan. May I add Kaye’s and my great appreciation to Rear Admiral Charles Williams and Consul-General Valerie Fowler for their warm and spirited hospitality today.

The historical and contemporary significance of visiting United States Ships is certainly not lost on Queenslanders.

Seventy-five years ago, American and Australian sailors and airmen halted, critically halted, the advance of the Japanese during the World War Two Battle of the Coral Sea – a decisive victory assuring our freedoms: Australian appreciation for the American support is boundless.

That was a mere few hundred kilometres from the Talisman Sabre training area from which the USS Ronald Reagan has just travelled.

The contemporary spirit of what we Australians call ‘mateship’, between Australian and American forces, was forged in a significant manner on those blood-flecked seas.

It was a great honour for Queensland to be in a position to express our gratitude for the service and sacrifice of Coral Sea veterans, including the hundreds who perished, by hosting this year a 75th commemorative delegation from the US, including Mr Cecil Wiswell, remaining survivor from the downed ‘Queen of the Flat Tops’, the USS Lexington.  

The contemporary manifestation of that stoutly supportive spirit was on display during Talisman Sabre, a highly beneficial expression of peacetime military capability and cooperation.

Rear Admiral Williams, Captain Donnelly, I say to you on behalf of all Queenslanders, we are greatly honoured by your presence now in our State, particularly here in Brisbane, a City with its proud and conspicuous links also 75 years ago to General Douglas Macarthur.

I convey, through Kaye’s and my presence today, the continuing high regard of Queenslanders for the distinguished personnel and marvellous continuing traditions which have, for many generations, distinguished the United States – and I add, Australian – Naval forces as exceptional.

In welcoming the USS Ronald Reagan’s safe arrival to port in Brisbane, today we also celebrate the 241st anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America.    

It is wonderful to have our American friends with us: it has been a great privilege for me to address you!