Youth with cardboard cutout of President Obama.

“Obamaque!”

Perth — 29 May 2009

Consul General Ken Chern and his wife, Ronni, hosted an "Obamaque" for 60 young people at their residence on May 29 to discuss the challenges facing President Obama and young people in the United States and Australia. The event was casual -- Hawaiian leis, Chicago pizzas, New York hot dogs, and Indonesian satays represented the varied homes and cultures experienced by the President. Guests aged 20-35 came from varied backgrounds and groups interested in international relations and friendship between the American and Australian peoples. The guests were divided into several groups to discuss issues of importance to them, after which group representatives gave presentations to all the guests. Among the issues raised were employment concerns, and the need for accountability and bipartisanship in politics.

Defense Attaché Colonel Britschgi raises a glass to the men and women of the U.S. and Australian armed forces. Photo credit: U.S. Embassy/Adam P. Wilson.

Celebrating Our Armed Forces’ Personnel

Canberra — 15 May 2009

Representatives of armed forces from countries around the world gathered at the Chief of Mission’s Residence Friday to join in commemorating U.S. Armed Forces Day. Defense Attaché Colonel Britschgi made remarks about the history of the day, and invited guests to charge a glass to the men and women of both the U.S. and Australian armed forces.

U.S. Armed Forces Day was established in 1949 by President Truman to mark the consolodation of the four branches of the military under the Department of Defense.

Dr. Mann at 666 ABC in Canberra on Wednesday, May 13th. Photo credit: U.S. Embassy/Travis Longmore.

Connecting with Political Experts Coast to Coast

Canberra — 13 May 2009

Thomas Mann, political scientist and fellow at the Brookings Institute, shared his views on the new Obama administration and its relationship with Congress during a wide-ranging series of talks and interviews in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney in the past month. His visit was arranged by the Grattan Institute in cooperation with the American Embassy.

Dr. Mann was present at Parliament House for the unveiling of the Federal Budget and met with cabinet members and the Prime Minister.

Associate Professor Lance Fung, Vice-Chair, IEEE WA Section; Consul General Ken Chern; Professor David Doepel, Director, Research Institute on Resource Technology, Murdoch University; Associate Professor Kevin Wong, Chairperson, IEEE WA Section.

U.S. Science Policy on the Move

Perth — 13 May 2009

Consul General Ken Chern gave a speech, "U.S. Science Policy on the Move," at a Murdoch University seminar celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the 25th anniversary of IEEE's Western Australia Section. Dr. Chern addressed an audience of about 70 students and professors from engineering, scientific, and other disciplines on the uses the Obama Administration is making of science, technology, and innovation to meet the economic, educational, environmental, energy, and health care challenges confronting the United States, Australia, and other nations. He cited President Obama's vision to see the United States meet -- and exceed -- the high-water mark in investment in research and development that it achieved in the "space race" of half a century ago. The Consul General spotlighted the recommendations of Australia's Cutler Review that parallel the focus areas in U.S. policy, such as the need to strengthen education, create free markets for innovation, build research and development capacity, and focus on the economic incentives and rewards of innovation. He praised the research being done in Western Australia in fields such as avian influenza poultry vaccines and child health. He predicted that the thriving scientific collaboration between American and Australian scientists and universities, as well as active government-to-government cooperation, would be further strengthened by the renewed commitment of both nations to scientific leadership. "ScienceNetwork Western Australia" and the IEEE Region 10 (Asia-Pacific) Newsletter published articles about the speech.

Those pictured from left are Dr. Eric Meslin, Dr. Fiona Stanley, U.S. Consul General Dr. Ken Chern, and Dr. Lyn Beazley.

Reception in Honor of Dr. Eric Meslin

Perth — 12 May 2009

Consul General and Mrs. Ken Chern held a reception May 12 in honor of Dr. Eric Meslin, Director of the Indiana University Center for Bioethics, who formerly served as Executive Director of the National Bioethics Advisory Commission which advised President Clinton. Dr. Meslin is currently in town as Visiting Professor—at—Large at the University of Western Australia; his host counterpart in Perth is Dr. Fiona Stanley, Founding Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. In his remarks, the Consul General cited the work of Dr. Meslin to advance not only research ethics but also medical ethics — the moral obligation of physicians to meet the total needs of the people they serve. The Consul General also spotlighted the ways in which Dr. Stanley’s work championing the welfare of children demonstrates and advances medical ethics. He cited President Obama’s commitment to science, and the President’s plan to boost investment in scientific research. The Consulate is planning to work with the Telethon Institute to arrange follow-up events to engage young researchers from Australia and the United States via digital video conference to discuss issues in bioethics. Others among the 35 guests at the reception included Western Australia Chief Scientist Dr. Lyn Beazley, Dean William Ford of the University of Western Australia School of Law, Professor of Immunology Cassandra James of Murdoch University, Professor Alan Bittles of the Centre for Human Genetics, Edith Cowan University, and the Reverend Canon Frank Sheehan, Director, Centre for Ethics, Christ Church Grammar School.

U.S. Consul General Dr. Ken Chern, Professor Kim Beazley and Reverend Canon Frank Sheehan

Kim Beazley Speaks on Australian-American Relations

Perth — 8 May 2009

Consul General Ken Chern joined Professor Kim Beazley, who formerly served as Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and as Leader of the Federal Opposition, in speaking on ‘Australian-American Relations Today’ before an audience of almost 200 at the University of Western Australia on May 8. Professor Beazley noted the timeliness of this discussion, since U.S. Secretary of Defense Gates had recently announced the 2010 U.S. defense budget, and the Australian Government had just issued its Defense White Paper. Beazley saluted the courage of President Obama for having taken on relations with the Islamic world from Palestine to Pakistan. Beazley noted that since Australia had joined the intervention in Afghanistan under the ANZUS Treaty following the 9/11 attacks on the United States, it was important that Australia not withdraw its forces from Afghanistan before the U.S. was comfortable with that. Dr. Chern stated that the U.S. had consistently regarded its security relationship with Australia as one of the anchors for its posture in the Asia-Pacific, and that Australian-American friendship transcends politics in either country. The Consul General reiterated Secretary of State Clinton’s statement that Australia is one of America’s most trusted allies in the world. He expressed gratitude for Australian support and cooperation in places like Afghanistan, where Australia has recently announced it would boost its troop commitment from 1,100 to 1,550 troops.

Consul General Thurston speaks about Obama’s first 100 days to an audience at Swinburne University.

Speaking About 100 Days

Melbourne — 6 May 2009

Consul General Thurston addressed large crowd of Swinburne University contacts, speaking at the Chancellor’s Lecture Series. Addressing the topic of President Obama's first 100 days in office, the Consul General covered many areas of interest including economic and foreign policy initiatives, and the relationship between Australian and the United States. Consul General Thurston’s address was followed by a thoughtful question and answer session with audience members.