REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE MARY PETERS
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
U.S.-AUSTRALIA OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT SIGNING
WASHINGTON, DC
MARCH 31, 2008
3:30 PM
Thank you all for coming. Please be seated.
Prime Minister Rudd, Ambassador Richardson, welcome to the United States
Department of Transportation. We are honored to have you join us today on this
important occasion. Welcome also to U.S. Ambassador to Australia Robert
McCallum, and to our State Department colleagues.
The United States and Australia share a unique understanding of transportation’s
ability to bridge divides and build homelands. Both of our national stories were
written with railroad spikes, ships’ masts, and the connections they allowed our
people to make across oceans and great continents. Our people have each united
vast distances with railroads, highways, and seaways. And today, we unite each
other through the air.
Today’s Open Skies agreement is both an important symbol of the growing ties
between our two nations, and a key component of our increasingly integrated
economies. Eliminating restrictions on U.S.-Australia air services means lower
fares, more convenient service, and more opportunity for travelers, commerce,
and carriers to thrive.
And for anyone that may have doubted the value of this pact, it has just been
announced—90 minutes before we even signed the agreement—that new flight
services will operate between Australia and Los Angeles.
In a world where access—access to information, access to opportunity, and access
to easy travel— is the key to success, this agreement will keep our economies
strong and our people prosperous. This deal may have been a long time in the
making, but it will be even longer-lasting in its benefits.
The United States and Australia share a language, a colonial history, and a
passion for democratic government. Now, because of this agreement, we also share
the skies.
With that, I would like to thank Prime Minister Rudd for his steadfast support
of our two nations’ special relationship, and invite him to the podium to say a
few words.
Mr. Prime Minister…
###
Briefing
Room
