Australia and the US are co-operating in ways the public might not be aware of, Defence Minister David Johnston has told a US Independence Day celebration in Canberra.
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Mr Johnston said the two nations were "seeking security from country to country across maritime environments in a whole host of ways many of us don't even hear about".
He also said many Australians may not be aware of the 1100 US troops stationed in Darwin since the arrangement was going "so seamlessly, so beautifully and we are working so well together".
The minister spoke of his role in the new defence agreement signed by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and President Barack Obama in Washington last month.
"For about a week John [US ambassador John Berry] and I had a five o'clock phone call to make sure the President and the Prime Minister had something to sign when first they met in Washington most recently," Mr Johnston said.
The remarks were made in front of Australian and US politicians, public service chiefs and members of the business community who lined up to pay tribute at the US embassy in Yarralumla on Wednesday to celebrate the American holiday.
While Mr Johnston said the US was "Australia's most significant strategic alliance", Mr Berry said Australia was a "trusted partner" and gave thanks to Australian armed forces.
The Canberra tradition drew the usual who's who of politics. The varied crowd included new senator Jacqui Lambie, Senate opposition leader Penny Wong and new ADF chief Mark Binskin. David Walsh of Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art was even spotted taking a turn about the herb garden.
US congressmen Dana Rohrabacher and Eliot Engel also flew in for the event.
It was a far cry from last year, which one American guest said was not remembered so fondly. New prime minister Kevin Rudd had used the occasion to speak of his meeting with the Chinese ambassador and relations with Indonesia.
Ambassador Berry's people skills and YouTube videos have already warmed him to many in the chilly capital.
Mr Johnston of Western Australia, on the other hand, drew a disappointed "aw" from the Canberran crowd when he made a dig at the local weather.
And indeed, despite the cheery red, white and blue balloons there was nothing that could lift the resolute winter fog, as one African diplomat complained as he scurried back to his pad after the speeches.
The embassy's spread of southern food and whisky was directed by famed New Orleans chef Tory McPhail, who admitted he was wowed by the Wagyu beef during a recent visit to Sydney's Rockpool restaurant.