Today, Deputy Secretary Bob Work met with Australia’s Assistant Minister for Defense Stuart Robert at the Pentagon. During the 30 minute meeting, the leaders discussed the deep bilateral defense cooperation between the U.S. and Australia, and Work conveyed his gratitude for Australia’s current and past contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The deputy secretary and assistant minister discussed opportunities for collaboration on the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Initiative, progress on Australia’s 2015 Defence White Paper, and business reforms within their respective organizations. They also discussed progress implementing the U.S. force posture initiatives in Australia’s Northern Territory.
This was Work’s first meeting with Robert.