Queensland Premier David Crisafulli is making a strong push to host a significant diplomatic summit that could make history by welcoming Donald Trump as the first sitting U.S. president to visit Australia in over ten years. During his address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Crisafulli articulated his ideal scenario for Queensland to hold the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a strategic partnership involving Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, originally formed in 2007 to counterbalance Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Crisafulli sees this summit not only as a geopolitical opportunity but also as a platform to elevate Queensland on the global stage, particularly in anticipation of the Brisbane Olympic Games slated for 2032. The last U.S. president to set foot in Australia was Barack Obama back in 2014.
When discussing how to entice Trump to attend the summit, Crisafulli emphasized the mutual benefits for both the U.S. and Queensland, stating, “the US needs that relationship and Queensland needs the US.” He highlighted Queensland’s abundance of critical minerals essential for manufacturing military hardware and advanced technologies, suggesting that this could play a crucial role in attracting U.S. interest.
Crisafulli pointed out the current U.S. dependence on foreign sources for these critical minerals, cautioning against relying on jurisdictions that may lack political stability. “In some cases, the U.S. is getting up to 90 percent of these individual minerals from one jurisdiction,” he remarked, suggesting that this could pose significant risks amidst geopolitical instability.
He believes that tapping into Queensland’s resources is the next wave for the state’s economy, claiming that “Queensland is better placed than anywhere else.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is reportedly supportive of the summit and funding has already been allocated for this initiative.
The Quad has seen six summits since 2021, with the most recent being held in Delaware, hosted by President Joe Biden. Upcoming gatherings include India, which will host the next summit, although the date has yet to be confirmed. Crisafulli noted that Australia is poised to host the summit following India, recalling Brisbane’s successful hosting of the G20 in 2014, which was attended by world leaders, including Obama.
After briefly stepping back from the Quad in 2008 under Kevin Rudd’s government, Australia rejoined the partnership in 2017 under Malcolm Turnbull’s coalition leadership. While the Chinese government has vocalized its disapproval of the Quad through official protests, the relationship among member nations appears to strengthen, positioning Queensland potentially at the center of crucial diplomatic discussions.
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