United States | 2006 Australian Official Visit

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Private​

The United States Chief of Protocol, Mary Applegale, was in constant and regular communication with the Prime Minister Julia Gillard's office as the date of the Prime Minister's official visit to the United States approached. In Washington D.C., significant security arrangements were made to ensure that Prime Minister and the President would not have any concerns while she was in town. The Secret Service, the Diplomatic Security Service, and the FBI were all coordinating with a special task force to coordinate the movements of the Prime Minister and her entourage while they were in the United States. Special considerations were put in place for the currently planned schedule that had been submitted by the Chief of Protocol.

The Australian Department of Defense was securely sent a plane route through American airspace to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where her aircraft could land and be received. If it was needed, the Prime Minister's aircraft could refuel at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam, at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, at Edwards Air Force Base in California, and Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. All of the flight routes would, in particular, avoid restricted areas in Nevada including Groom Lake. Waiting at Andrews was the Chief of Protocol herself along with several other leaders and officials who were eager to meet the Australian Prime Minister.​

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At RAAF Base Fairbairn, a No. 34 Squadron Boeing 737-700 BBJ would be prepared for the Prime Minister's journey to Washington D.C. Air Force maintenance crew would check over the aircraft and fuel it up. The pilots and the flight attendants would go over their flight plans, itineraries and would prepare the aircraft with its catering supplies. As the aircraft only had a range of 11,000km, the flight would fly from Canberra up to Hickham Air Force Base in Hawaii where it would refuel, a distance of 8,400km. It would then fly across to the continental United States, eventually arriving at Andrews Air Force Base, a total distance of 16,200km. The aircraft would use the callsign "ENVOY01".

The Prime Minister would prepare her suitcases with personal belongings and so would her staff. Joining her on this official visit would be the Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner along with other Washington-based staff such as the Ambassador to the United States, Kim Beazley, the Liaison Officer to the Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commodore Allison Norris and the Head of Australian Defence Staff in Washington, D.C., Air Vice Marshal Alan Clements. Four members of the Prime Minister's protection team within the Australian Federal Police would also join her, armed with sidearms. They would be joined later by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd, who was currently in Ottawa and wrapping up his meetings there.

The Prime Ministerial Limousine "Commonwealth 1" would take the Prime Minister from her residence The Lodge in Canberra and would head off to RAAF Base Fairbairn in the early morning flanked by Australian Federal Police motorcycles and cars. Media would be present along the route and at the airport for this occassion. She would meet the Minister for Defence there along with the staff from the Prime Minister's Office and other Departments joining her. A delegation of the major Australian media outlets would also join the Prime Minister in her aircraft. They would board the aircraft through the VIP Terminal at RAAF Base Fairbairn. Once they were all prepared and settled, the aircraft would begin its taxi to the runway and would get priority for take off from all the normal commercial aircraft using Canberra Airport. It would take off in a northerly direction, heading off in a north-east heading, flying directly over Sydney as it was climbing to its cruising altitude before heading off over the Pacific Ocean. It would fly over New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tuvalu and Kiribati airspace before eventually entering U.S. airspace near Baker Island and Howland Island.

It would make its short stop at Hickham Air Force Base in Hawaii in order to refuel. All personnel would remain on the aircraft and there would be a quick turnaround before it took off again heading eastwards towards the continental United States. It would enter continental United States airspace just south of San Francisco/San Jose. Flying over California and then into Nevada where it would fly just north of restricted airspace at "Lake Groom", directly over the town of Tonopah. It would then fly over Utah, Colorado (directly over Denver), Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, flying directly over Champaign, Indianapolis and Dayton before eventually flying over the Appalachians and into the Capital Region's airspace.

As they flew over Dayton the Prime Minister would remark "this is where Kristina went to University!". Kristina Keneally, the current Premier of New South Wales was an alumni of the University of Dayton.

Budding aviation enthusiasts would be able to take advantage of spotting a Royal Australian Air Force jet flying over their towns and cities. It would come into Andrews Air Force Base from the south, avoiding highly restricted Washington D.C. airspace. Once cleared, it would touch down at the airport. It would follow tower instructions to taxi to its designated area.

The Governor-General would appoint the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer, Wayne Swan, as Acting Prime Minister by convention.

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[Odinson]

Private​

Exceptional measures were taken to ensure the security of ENVOY01 as it flew through American national airspace. A military escort was not necessary, nevertheless, civilian and military air traffic were regularly redirected to ensure the Australian aircraft did not have any airborne disturbances to worry about for at least a ten-mile radius. All air traffic at Andrews was grounded or redirected so it did not intervene with the arrival of ENVOY01. The aircraft was directed by Air Force Air Traffic Control to take the appropriate heading to land at the appropriate runway at the appropriate speed.

The Secret Service and the Air Force were out in force at Andrews. ENVOY01 was directed on what runway it should land on and was given the correct heading along with windspeed and other minor weather conditions. Once the aircraft touched down, it would be directed to taxi to a specific location where a red carpet, honor guard, and diplomatic welcoming committee were waiting. A staircase was rolled up to the Prime Minister's aircraft so that Ms. Gillard and the rest of the Australian delegation could descend down to the Earth. When the Prime Minister would depart the aircraft, she would see the red carpet rolled out at the base of the staircase which led past a military honor guard and to a small fleet of vehicles that were waiting to take her and the most important members of his delegation to the White House. Soldiers, sailors, and airmen from the honor guards of all the branches of the armed forces were present, totaling in 19 servicemen since the Prime Minister was a de facto Head of Government and not State (which would justify 21 servicemen).

Once she made it to the bottom of the staircase the Chief of Protocol was first in line. She shook the hand of the Prime Minister and said, "Madam Prime Minister, I'm Mary Applegale, the Chief of Protocol. Welcome to the United States - I'll walk along with you here," she said. A young girl from a local elementary school in Washington D.C. was waiting at the bottom of the staircase with a small bouquet of flowers for the Prime Minister, which she handed to her. Mary then acted as a kind of guide as they made their way down the ceremonial red carpet.

Mary introduced the Prime Minister to the commanding general of Andrews Air Force Base, the American ambassador to Australia, the Governor of Maryland (the State which they were presently standing in), and a few other dignitaries from the federal government who were excited to play a small part in the first visit of a foreign leader to the United States. All the while the U.S. Air Force band played "Arrival Fanfare Number One." American and Australian journalists, who had been pre-selected based on having clean backgrounds, were allowed onto the tarmac so that they could take pictures and film the event. Mary escorted the Australians through the military honor guard, and finally to the vehicles that were waiting for them. Each of them were driven by armed members of the Secret Service.

The Australian Federal Police officers would be permitted to keep their weapons after the serial numbers were recorded by the Secret Service. However, they were reminded that they would not be able to have their sidearms when they would be on White House grounds - even if they would be staying at the nearby Blair House - and that there would be other restrictions. The motorcade made its way from Andrews to the White House and the most direct and safe way possible. Roads were closed off and an escort was provided by local police, ranging from the Maryland State Police to the D.C. police.

Public​

Now it was time for the "Salutatory" portion of the ceremony. President Sinclair stepped up to the podium, which had the seal of the President, and briefly cleared his throat. "Prime Minister, I would like to welcome you to the United States and the White House, along with the rest of your delegation," he said into the microphone.

Some guests were standing on the South Lawn, and included congressmen, some of their families, and the families of other high officials and diplomats who wanted to help welcome the Australians.

"It is a true honor to host a critical ally to the United States here at the White House. The close relationship between the United States and Australia is essential and necessary. We share so much in common, including our firm belief in the protection of liberty, common law, and democracy. Recently we have formalized our informal relationship into a more formal relationship, and I think that it is clear that the United State and Australia stand as friends and allies through and through, and that we will defend each other no matter the cost. While we are two very different nations, we are fortunate to enjoy many similarities, as well as a shared history and friendship. I look forward to moving our relationship forward, and maybe we can even fit in a couple of hours to shoot some clay pigeons," he said, which got a bit of laughter form the crowd. "But really, welcome, Prime Minister I'm happy that we are able to host you here," he said as he stepped back from the podium.

It was now the Prime Minister's turn to give a few words. After this, they would be able to finally go inside the White House.

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The Prime Minister would make her way down the stairs with Ambassador Beazley by her side. He had flown back to Australia prior in order to brief the Prime Minister and accompany her to the United States. The Ambassador would walk by her side as she kept walking through. Behind them would be the delegation, the Minister for Defence and the Prime Minister's partner, Tim Mathieson. They would make their way into the vehicles and head off. The AFP officers would position themselves at Blair House rather than the White House to make sure the premises were secure.

The Prime Minister and Mr. Mathieson would meet and greet the President and First Lady at the White House before the ceremonies got underway. They would take their seats on the South Lawn of the White House.

They would applaud the President's speech before the President invited the Prime Minister to the podium. She would go up to the podium and would shake the President's hand at the podium before taking it.

"Thank you very much President Sinclair,

It is an honour and a privilege to be standing here in one of the great hearts of democracy in the world.... Washington D.C. Along with London we regard this as one of the most important capital cities in the world to Australia. Many see Australia as the product of what happens if you combine the United Kingdom and the United States. Indeed, our system of government is sometimes colloquially referred to as the "Washminster" system, a Westminster-style parliament with a House of Representatives and a Senate. Just like the United States, we are a nation built on immigrants, a success story of growing nothing into something extraordinary.... a place with wide open frontiers and cosmopolitan cities, of productive farmland and citizens who aspire to achieve a "dream", whether the American dream or the Australian dream. But we still speak a bit funny, put the letter "u" in colour, where cookies are biscuits and biscuits are scones and we still swear allegiance to Her Majesty The Queen. And of course, that flag is still inside ours." She would point to the Australian flag behind her, allowing for the audience to laugh.

"I guess you could call ours the stars and stripes too....

But of course, we are more than just similarities. The alliance between Australia and the United States goes deeper, than any other.... probably second to New Zealand. My predecessor, John Curtin, who still outranks me in terms of highest election results for a Labor Prime Minister. Don't worry John... I'll get you one day." She would let them laugh again.

"Prime Minister Curtin famously uttered the words: "The Australian Government, therefore regards the Pacific struggle as primarily one in which the United States and Australia must have the fullest say in the direction of the Democracies' fighting plan. Without any inhibitions of any kind, I make it clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom." Those words still resonate clearly today. Australia is a massive continent in the Indo-Pacific region and the United States has many outposts within the region. Together we form a formidable alliance in the Indo-Pacific, but indeed all around the world. Australians have fought with Americans in every war since the First World War, which no other nation can claim they have done. We face many challenges in the world, but together we can front those challenges and most importantly... overcome them.

We formulate this relationship, not just for ourselves and our current governments, but for successive governments and for our people. Australians have a deep fondness of Americans and Americans have a deep fondness of Australians. I know this from watching the outpouring of love that many Americans have towards the now Governor of Queensland, His Excellency Steve Irwin, for his work in animal conservation and I think... the fact that he found himself with an American wife." She would let them laugh.

"I know this because the current Premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally, made the decision at 30 years old to move from the United States to Australia and now occupies the highest echelons of power in the largest state in the federation. She serves the people of New South Wales with the utmost dedication and service, displaying this during the recent riots in Cronulla where she reinforced what Australian values were and what it meant to be Australian. If that is not commitment to Australia, I don't know what is.

Mr. President, together lets champion the cause of democracy, freedom and peace throughout the world. I thank you for hosting me."

With that she would exit off the podium. She would approach the President, exchanging a few words and embraces before leading them inside the White House.

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[Odinson]

Private​

The Australian Federal Police Officers were escorted directly to Blair House, if they so wished, so that they could establish a security perimeter or conduct other activities to their liking. They had a liaison from the Secret Service who was assigned to them, Special Agent Blake Carter, who took the lead officer of the AFP present through Blair House and gave him a brief tour before going over some critical security matters. Essentially, the Secret Service would do everything they could, within reason, to make the AFP comfortable and confident that they and the Secret Service would be able to properly protect the Prime Minister and the rest of the Australian delegation while they were guests in Washington.

Meanwhile, at the White House, the assembled crowd and journalists responded positively to the Prime Minister's speech. There was laughter and applause throughout the speech, and a healthy amount of applause at the end. However, the other most notable murmurs and applause came at the mention of the Governor of Queensland, Steve Irwin, who was probably the most famous Australian to Americans, excluding the Prime Minister and maybe actor Paul Hogan who played Mick Dundee in the 1986 hit movie, "Crocodile Dundee."

President Sinclair escorted the Prime Minister and her partner, Tim Mathieson, inside of the White House Residence where they were promptly brought to the Red Room where the leaders and their partners could gather in private for the first time. While the relationship between Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister Mathieson was public and well-known, the worst kept secret in Washington was President Sinclair's relationship with United States Senator Olympia Snowe, who was also from Maine. Sinclair was in his very early 80s, and Snowe was 59. Neither Sinclair nor Snowe were married or in a relationship with anyone else, but they had to play down their relationship for political reasons.

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Sinclair was the first American - since James Buchanon in 1857 - to be elected President while not being married. After the Korean War, Sinclair had married a young woman. Just a year after their marriage she was pregnant with their first child when she was murdered. Sinclair spent decades blaming himself for the murder and stayed away from getting into another relationship until, much later in his life, he got to know Senator Snowe quite well. She was appointed to the Senate to represent Maine after the attack on the Capitol in 1997 and has remained in office since then. It is well-known in Washington circles that Sinclair and Snowe are partners of some kind, but how serious their relationship is, is often debated. Sinclair is a member of the Silent Generation and is a very private person by his own nature. While Snowe is younger, she shares many of those same sentiments. Nonetheless, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization would easily know that the two were in a relationship, and it is likely that the Prime Minister would have been informed about this during her briefing on Sinclair and other American leadership that she was going to meet on the trip. It was probably pointed out that something Gillard and Sinclair had in common was that neither was married but both were in some kind of partnership.

President Sinclair was wearing a three-piece black suit with a dark, navy-blue tie. He had a small American flag lapel pin on his coat and his white hair was parted to the side. He was holding his signature black walking cane in his left hand. He had sustained some minor injuries to his leg in the Korean War, but he could pretty easily get around without it if he needed to. He extended his hand to Prime Minister Gillard.

"Welcome to the White House, Prime Minister," he said, and then introduced himself to Mathieson and welcomed him as well. "Let me introduce Senator Olympia Snowe, who is also from the great State of Maine."

Olympia was wearing a conservative dark blue dress that matched Sinclair's tie. The two stood next to each other like they were a couple. She extended her hand to the Gillard and Mathieson, "It is very nice to meet you both, welcome to the United States."

Sinclair invited everyone to take a seat. The four leaders were offered their choice of coffee, tea, or water before they were left alone for the traditional exchange of gifts. Gillard certainly was not afraid of being photographed drinking with friends and constituents back in Australia, so Sinclair decided on getting her and Mathieson an expensive bottle of red wine from Napa Valley in California. The bottle was inside of a box with a lid on it, which he handed to Gillard.

"Olympia and I tried this one the last time we were in California, it's very smooth. I hope that you both enjoy it," Sinclair said. Sinclair and Snowe then waited to be presented with their gift.

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After the presentation of the gifts, the two couples would have been permitted to spend some more time together so that they could get to know one another a bit better. This, however, for the most part was probably conservative small talking more than anything else, as they would have much more time with each other later. It was now time for the State Department Luncheon which was hosted by the Secretary of State, Luke Adams, and the Vice President of the United States, Richard Blumenthal. The event took place at the Harry S. Truman Building in Foggy Bottom, specifically in the Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room. In attendance at the exclusive event was former State Department officials including several former secretaries of state (including former Secretary of State Jackson Fitzgerald), former American ambassadors to Australia, and some of America's curious political intelligentsia - this event was not open to the public and was not broadcast to the public. Everyone in attendance was served a three-course meal while various speakers came to the podium in a kind of mini-conference for the Prime Minister and the visitors to enjoy.

Secretary Adams cleared his throat as he stood in front of a massive fireplace and looked out to the dozens of attendees as well as the Prime Minister and Minister Mathieson.

"It is a pleasure to hold the first State Department Luncheon of this administration for a visiting world leader. Prime Minister, Minister Mathieson, welcome to Washington, and thank you to everyone who is in attendance today. I have been looking forward to this luncheon for quite some time. There are few countries in the world that I am so excited for the Federal Government to build a relationship with as Australia. The Australian and American people share a descendance from our British forefathers - some would go as far as to say that we are national siblings. While a large ocean separates us, we have so much in common other than the common ancestry that many of our people share. We strongly believe in representative democracy, freedom of speech, the importance of education, and an admiration for the great outdoors. If Americans in New England may feel some kind of phycological connection to the British way of life, then I am sure that Americans in the Southwest part of the country, and Texas, must feel that same connection with the Australian people.

"These connections give us a natural route to be able to work together. Since there are few cultural barriers between us, we can focus on how we can best work together to preserve our mutual interests. The United States and Australia have recently formalized our international relationship and soon the United States will have a greater presence in the region. I can see our international partnership continuing forward, and I will do everything I can to make sure that it does," he said. Secretary Adams went on to emphasize the importance of America and Australia's strategic partnership going forward.

Secretary Adams then introduced Vice President Blumenthal who welcomed the Australians and reemphasized some of Adams's points, but also added that there were several legislative initiatives in the Senate that he wanted to push for which could further cooperation between the United States and Australia.

Secretary Adams and Vice President Blumenthal sat at a table with Minister Mathieson and the Prime Minister, separate from everyone else who was there for the luncheon. They had the chance to talk with relative privacy. At some point, the topic of current events came up and Vice President Blumenthal, who had been relatively reserved throughout the conversation, spoke up.

"Prime Minister, does your government have any strong positions on the current situation in Turkey? We're quite concerned that a strongman dictatorship or a radical Islamist government may take over the country if the current economic and political instability over there continues. I know it's a world away for you, even more so than us, but it has been a pretty big topic of discussion here in Washington lately," Blumenthal noted, and then took a bite of mashed potatoes.​

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The Prime Minister would shake the President's hand and would then shake Senator Snowe's hand.

"Pleasure to meet you Senator Snowe." She would let out a smile, knowing privately the relationship the Senator and the President had. She was informed of this by the Ambassador who heard it on the grapevine within D.C. circles. It was not the job or business of ASIO to collect foreign intelligence (which was the job of ASIS), as an internal security agency, nor would they be remotely interested in the private lives of foreign leaders. But nevertheless, she knew from gossip.

The Prime Minister would be surprised at the gift of wine she would receive.

"Thank you kindly, Mr. President. I do love a good bottle of red. Being from South Australia originally we pride ourselves immensely on the wine we produce, with notable brands such as Penfolds. They also have vineyards in the Napa Valley and I have heard that it is some of the best in the world from that part of California. I look forward very much to drinking this, maybe in the presence of another foreign leader."

She would pass the gift to an assistant nearby. "The gift please.." She would say. They would then pass her the gift.

"Our gift to you..." She would turn around and present a piece of art.

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"This is an artwork created by Amanda Westley, an Indigenous Australian artist from the Ngarrindjeri people of my home state of South Australia. The artwork represents "country" and the spiritual and cultural connection Aboriginal people have to the land. It represents the Aboriginal community of Raukkan, which was formerly a mission, situated on the shore of Lake Alexandrina. Notably it is also the home of David Unaipon, an Aboriginal pastor and inventor, who is depicted on the Australian $50 note."

She would present the gift to the President with a smile.

"It might not fit the theme of the other artwork in the White House, but we grace the walls in Parliament and my official residences with Indigenous artwork and it works tremendously well."

Prior to the State Department Luncheon, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd would touch down at Andrews Air Force Base arriving from Ottawa after his meetings with the Canadian Foreign Minister. For the first time in history, both of No. 34 Squadron's Boeing 737BBJ's would be parked together on foreign soil. The top brass of Australia's foreign portfolios (Prime Miniser, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence) in cabinet would be together for the first time on foreign soil. The Minister would be taken from the air base in an embassy-arranged vehicle. The Secret Service would be alerted to his arrival to provide some security. He would be taken straight to the State Department Luncheon.

The Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador would dress in their finest cocktail wear for the dinner. They would enjoy the dinner and would listen to the Secretary speak. The Prime Minister would then sit with the Vice President to have their personal discussion. She would instruct Tim to go chat with other officials in the room. Minister Rudd would accompany him.

She would listen to the Vice President speak.

"Mr. Vice President, since our defeat at Gallipoli I don't think we have any desire to be involved in Turkish affairs again." She would let out a chuckle.

"But nevertheless, I have not had a very formal briefing about what is occurring there. You are right, it is worlds away from us. We are always more focused on the Indo-Pacific than Europe or the Middle East. We are focusing on the transition in Myanmar and the implications that has for the wider region, particularly in regards to Thailand. This is the benefit of the United States having allies across the world, you need deputies in different regions. But 5 years ago we did involve ourselves in military operations against Turkey and Saudi Arabia during their war against Israel. I hope we don't have to see a similar situation again. A dictatorship or Islamist regime would be concerning, but unless it begins to directly threaten other nations, we don't have a desire to particularly involve ourselves in the internal affairs of the Middle East region. Is there something that I should know or be aware of? Is there a particular position the United States would like to see us take?"

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