DCM Clune visits WA

Perth — 16-20 June 2008

Coming from the U.S. Embassy in Canberra to Perth for a June 16-20 visit, Deputy Chief of Mission Dan Clune spoke to approximately 40 Scotch College secondary school students and faculty about the U.S. Presidential campaign and the similarities and differences between the U.S. and Australian political systems. He also spoke about U.S.-Australian cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region to approximately twenty senior academics from the John Curtin Institute of Public Policy at Curtin University. At Curtin, he explored the history and foundations of the bilateral relationship, citing the World War II experience, shared values, and similar cultures. He highlighted strong ties in trade, defense, the environment, and humanitarian assistance, and cited examples of how the U.S. and Australia can work together to build better relationships in Asia and the Middle East.

At the University of Western Australia, the DCM met with Professor Kim Beazley and Vice Chancellor Alan Robson before seeing Professor of Astronomy Peter Quinn, who briefed him on plans for the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope system, a 19-nation project that will exponentially expand astronomical exploration and will be sited either in Western Australia or in southern Africa. DCM Clune attended an Australian Institute of Company Directors and Australia Business Arts Foundation reception at the At Gallery of Western Australia, where ANZ Bank Chief Economist Saul Eslake gave a presentation on business support for the arts. While in Perth, the DCM also met with business and resource professionals, government officials, political leaders, and senior academics, and was the guest of honor at an evening reception hosted by Consul General Ken Chern.