To reach a better understanding of U.S. and Australian armed forces training and culture, the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon, and U.S. Ambassador, Robert McCallum, met yesterday to discuss and exchange documents to amend the Chapeau Agreement.
The Chapeau Agreement between Australia and the United States is a binding agreement that covers a range of cooperative and joint activities undertaken by the two countries. The Fitzgibbon-McCallum exchange will extend the Chapeau Agreement to cover existing and future personnel exchange and liaison programs.
The benefit to the Australia-U.S. Alliance is improved integration of the two Armed Forces at the tactical, operational and strategic levels.
“Personnel exchange and liaison programs are vital to expanding and strengthening the Australia-U.S. Alliance,” Fitzgibbon said. The exchange of personnel allows Armed Forces from both countries to gain a greater understanding of each other’s training and culture. The shared experience of training and operating together builds close professional relationships and networks between members of the Australian and U.S. Defence Forces. This allows for more effective knowledge exchange and cooperation between the two countries.”
Once the treaty has been tabled in Parliament, and after approval of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties is obtained, the minister will advise the United States that Australia’s domestic requirements have been completed and the agreement is in force.
“Our work on the Chapeau Agreement strengthens the longstanding partnership between Australia and the U.S., and provides a stronger platform from which to meet future challenges,” Fitzgibbon said.