Media Statement - 5th November 2008
The great democracy that is the United States of America has once again demonstrated to the world the greatness of the democratic idea at work.
45 Years ago Martin Luther King dreamed of an America where men and women will be judged not on the colour of their skin but on the content of their character.
Today what America has done is turn that dream into a reality.
This is a great testament to the great strengths and maturity of the American democratic process.
Senator Obama’s historic win in this election has inspired a nation through his message of hope.
Senator Obama’s message of hope is not just for America’s future, it is also a message of hope for the world as well. A world which is now in many respects fearful for its future.
The world looks to America for global leadership on the great global challenges of the 21st Century: the global financial crisis, the challenge of climate change, the great challenges and opportunities of the Asia Pacific century - that is the 21st Century - and the continuing challenges of security.
Australia has been a strong and continuing ally of the United States since 1941. Our alliance has prospered in the past under 13 Australian Prime Ministers and under 12 American Presidents, Republican and Democrat, Labor and Liberal.
Our alliance has truly prospered in the past and this alliance will prosper into the future.
Australia looks forward to working in the closest possible way, in the closest possible partnership with an Obama Administration, acting together to deal with the great common global challenges we face as democracies.
I also want to acknowledge the role of Senator McCain, a strong friend of Australia and a strong advocate in the fight against climate change.
In the months ahead Australia looks forward to continuing to work closely with President Bush and his administration on the many immediate challenges we share.
Above all on tackling the global financial crisis where the Presidents continuing leadership remains so important.
I would also congratulate US Ambassador McCallum on his service to the Australia-US relationship, noting Ambassador McCallum’s decision to resign from his position as he announced today.
The world has relied on strong American leadership for much of the century that has passed. Given the great challenges we face for the future, the world even more relies on strong American leadership into the future.
Australia looks forward to working closely, in close partnership and in close friendship with an America under this new Obama Administration.