President Bush Designates New Marine Monuments

President Bush on January 6 designated the Marianas Trench, Pacific Remote Islands, and Rose Atoll Marine National Monuments using the authority of the Antiquities Act of 1906, which allows the president to protect areas of “historic or scientific significance” on land owned or controlled by the United States.

• Fact Sheet: Marine National Monuments
• Establishment of the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument
• Establishment of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument
• Establishment of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument

Refining Defense Expectations

Ambassador Robert McCallum and Australia’s Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon sign an agreement between the two governments concerning Certain Mutual Defense Commitments during a ceremony in December at Parliament House in Canberra. In support of the long-standing Chapeau Agreement, the document covers defense personnel exchange programs under international law. It has evolved from Exchanges of Notes dating back to the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement that came into force in 1951.

Youth Baseball Celebrates with the Ambassador’s Cup

The Bandits baseball team in Canberra won this year’s Ambassador’s cup presented by the Embassy in December. The cup is presented to the local club that recruits the most young players and each team member received a medal. More than 200 boys and girls competed in the under 8 and under 10 brackets this year.

Number of Australians Studying in U.S. Grows by 10%

The number of Australian students attending U.S. universities grew by 10.4 percent for the 2007-08 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education. In total, 3,088 Australians were enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities in undergraduate and graduate programs.

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Keeping Fulbright Connection Strong

Ambassador Robert McCallum joined with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in recognizing the important role of Fulbright Scholarships in nurturing the strong relationship between the two countries at a reception at the Ambassador’s residence in November. The two serve as honorary co-chairs of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission.

Americans and Australians Join to Watch Election Results

Under red, white and blue streamers and balloons, Australians joined with Americans to watch the vote totals come in for U.S. president at special Election Watch events in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Darwin. Ambassador Robert McCallum was among those attending the Election Watch in Canberra.

New Travel Rules Take Effect January 12, 2009

Beginning January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, including Australia, are required to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States. This authorization may be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a free Internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

There is no charge to complete the ESTA application. VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established websites, which charge visitors for information and for submitting ESTA applications. These websites are not endorsed by, associated with, nor affiliated in any way with the U.S. government.

In advance of the deadline, VWP visitors may voluntarily apply for the travel authorization.

For more information, start by reading our page on the Visa Waiver Program.

U.S. – Australia Student Work and Travel Pilot Program

The Student Work and Travel Pilot Program announced by President Bush and Prime Minister Howard in September went into effect October 31, 2007.

Please see our nonimmigrant visa page for general information on the U.S. visa application process, including how to apply for a U.S. visa in Australia.