Defence boss issues warning ANZUS alliance 'cannot be taken for granted' in wake of Trump win
Updated
Defence Department Secretary Dennis Richardson says the election of Donald Trump has drawn into sharp focus the importance of the 65-year-old Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS) alliance, which he warns should not be taken for granted.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the poll, the Defence boss has argued the unexpected result "probably cuts more directly into Australia's domestic politics" than any other American campaign.
"The value of the alliance as perceived by the Australian community should not and cannot be taken for granted," Mr Richardson has told a Canberra gathering of the defence and diplomatic community.
"We will make a big mistake if we allow the alliance to be held hostage to perceptions of the success or otherwise of one administration or of one person."
During the recent presidential campaign Donald Trump regularly threatened to get tough on certain US allies in Europe and Asia who he accused of bludging off America.
Since the Republican candidate's victory, the Federal Government has repeatedly argued Australia is not a "strategic bludger" when it comes to the ANZUS alliance, which was signed back in 1951.
Dennis Richardson has cautioned that Mr Trump's comments must be looked at in a historical context.
"President-elect Trump is not the first US leader to call on allies to do more," he said.
"Although he has done it in a far more colourful way."
Topics: defence-and-national-security, government-and-politics, foreign-affairs, world-politics, us-elections, australia, united-states, new-zealand
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