Defence work hopes after Clinton visit
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton flew out of Adelaide this morning after a quick two-night stopover in South Australia.
During her stay, Ms Clinton toured the $300million Techport defence hub, with her hosts hoping it could lead to US Navy maintenance being carried out at the facility.
Speaking at Techport yesterday, Ms Clinton heaped praise on Adelaide in her first visit to the city.
“I am proud to be the first Secretary of State to do so, and the others don’t know what they are missing,” she said.
"Adelaide is from our perspective one of the great critical industrial centres in the world, the heart of Australia's defence manufacturing and a place where American and Australian companies work in close partnership every day.”
“God bless you, and God bless Australia and our relationship forever, thank you.”
Ms Clinton and her large entourage left Adelaide Airport this morning after spending two nights in Adelaide.
It is hoped Australia can cash in on voyage repairs to the US Pacific Fleet, which are currently carried out in Japan and Singapore.
Former Labor leader and Australian Ambassador to the US Kym Beazley said he is always pushing Australia’s case to the United States.
“Of course, here in Adelaide, you have really got the central part of Australian defence production and a fair bit of Australian defence zones, so the fact Hillary Clinton visited here is a bit of a tribute to the fact you have got the show on the map,” he said.
Speaking at Adelaide Airport today where he farewelled the Secretary, Premier Jay Weatherill said Ms Clinton was impressed with Adelaide’s collaboration with existing US companies, and also the possibility to extend on that.
“Obviously the connection between our tertiary institutions, our existing capabilities meant that she could see quite significant possibilities for the future between the US and South Australia,” Mr Weatherill said.
“It was obvious to her that the opportunities were wonderful opportunities, and we will continue that dialogue.
“These are great opportunities for South Australia and I think the United States now understands much clearly the capabilities that are on offer here.”
