The Honourable John Howard, AC, former Prime Minister of Australia, was the guest of honour at a United States Studies Centre dinner hosted by Chairman of the Macquarie Group David Clarke. The dinner was attended by members of the Centre's Board of Directors, Vice Chancellor Dr Michael Spence and other leaders from the University of Sydney, senior executives from the business community, as well as prominent politicians, military leaders and public servants who worked with Mr Howard during his tenure as Prime Minister for more than a decade.

In his remarks, the former Prime Minister reflected on the importance of Australia's relations with both the United States and China, his personal relationship with US President George W Bush, and the centrality of the ANZUS alliance to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

Chairman of the US Studies Centre and the American Australian Association Malcolm Binks thanked Mr Howard and members of his government for their crucial support in the months leading up to the creation of the US Studies Centre in 2006.

The Chief Executive of the Centre Professor Geoffrey Garrett told guests of recent and upcoming activities of the Centre relating to education at all levels in Australia, analysis of critical policy issues, and collaboration across the Pacific with the United States.