Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, will travel to Honolulu and Washington DC from 18 to 21 September.
In Honolulu, Minister Payne will meet with the leadership of United States Pacific Command, including Commander US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris.
“Australia’s Alliance with the United States remains central to Australia’s strategic security arrangements. The Australian Defence Force’s close relationship with Pacific Command is a vital part of that,” Minister Payne said.
“My visit to Honolulu will be an opportunity to discuss joint approaches to the key strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reinforce the strength of the Australia-United States Alliance.”
During the visit, the Minister will pay her respects to US military personnel who lost their lives in the First and Second World War.
In Washington DC, Minister Payne will meet senior members of the Trump Administration, including US Secretary of Defense, Jim Mattis.
Minister Payne will discuss global threats and security challenges and further build on outcomes from the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN), held in Sydney in June.
The Minister will also meet with members of the US Congress and will share perspectives with some of Washington’s most influential women working in the national security arena.
“I look forward to further advancing Australia’s defence and national security interests and reinforcing the close friendship between our two nations,” Minister Payne said.