12   Australia and the United States of America

Mrs McIntosh, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1)        acknowledges that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the Commonwealth of Australia and the United States of America;

(2)        recognises the diplomatic relationship is the foundation of the broader strategic, defence and economic partnerships between Australia and the United States;

(3)        acknowledges the:

(a)        significance of the recent state dinner between President Trump and Prime Minister Morrison on 20 September 2019; and

(b)        appointment of United States Ambassador to Australia, Mr Arthur Culvahouse Jnr, on 19 February 2019;

(4)        encourages that the anniversary be a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to promote and uphold democratic values, freedoms and the rule of law at home and abroad;

(5)        further acknowledges that a strong, bilateral relationship is vital for our continued shared economic prosperity and national security, as Australia and the United States:

(a)        face increasingly complex and frequent threats that aim to undermine the integrity of democratic institutions and national sovereignty; and

(b)        share the benefits of a robust trade and investment relationship valued at US $1.1 trillion that creates and sustains jobs; and

(6)        commemorates the bravery, service and sacrifice of United States firefighters Captain Ian H. McBeth, First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson, and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jnr who tragically lost their lives while fighting bushfires in the Snowy Monaro area, New South Wales, on 23 January 2020.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.