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Can you identify the National Park in this month's header? Keep reading to find out!
June 2026 Edition
AUSTRALIA MEETS THE MOMENT
A significant portion of commentary surrounding Australia's global engagement probes the nation's potential, be it as a data centre superpower, autonomous systems expert, minerals partner, or green energy leader.
In an era of uncertainty, questions of potential are necessary to interrogate Australian industry's ability to meet the moment and truly understand the pace required to match our rapidly changing environment.
Our caution in accepting progress in these endeavours is natural, but our global role requires us to rise above the Australian predisposition to shy away from the limelight.
Last month, I reflected on the state of the Alliance as seen from Washington, DC, and New York.
The intrinsic link between geopolitical risk and industrial capability rose to the top of almost every discussion throughout the week, and as our understanding of this new operating model has grown clearer, so too have our policy settings, supply chains, and commercial strategies.
Our potential is well-known; our opportunity is absolutely clear; our partnerships are well-defined. The clarion call to realise Australian potential has been put to our nation's industry.
The response has been overwhelming.
Australian businesses have resoundingly demonstrated their ability to rise to the challenge across sectors and capabilities.
Our leadership in the sectors of national and economic security, space, autonomous systems, and minerals is abundantly clear.
We have world-leading research and development capabilities.
Australian superannuation funds afford us the capacity to invest in essential infrastructure and industries in the United States that directly benefit both nations.
Questions of Australian potential have been asked and answered.
Individuals and businesses that push the frontiers of the Alliance to new and exciting places are not just good for both nations, but also fundamentally necessary to our continued success.
At AmCham, it's our responsibility to recognise the innovators, industry leaders, and risk-takers on the cutting edge of their sectors that answered the questions of Australia's potential.
In October, we're hosting the Alliance Awards to do just that.
Across advanced capabilities, security and resilience, cybersecurity, fintech, future energy, life sciences, and space, we're recognising the thought leaders and innovators propelling Australia into the future. If you or someone you know fits this description, click here to nominate them.
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PICTURED: AmCham's Critical Minerals Business Lunch in Perth.
BRISBANE | Business Lunch
250th Independence Day with the Hon David Crisafulli • 1 July
ADELAIDE | The State of National Security
Featuring the Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry • 21 July
SYDNEY | Panel Discussion
Aussie Super Power: The Future of Superannuation • 23 July
BRISBANE | Business Luncheon
Australian Impacts: The US Midterm Elections • 5 August
CANBERRA | Business Luncheon
From Podium to Power: Leadership Beyond the Finish Line • 10 August
SYDNEY | Business Luncheon
Money in Motion: Payments in a Digital Economy • 18 August
I look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events.
Kind regards,
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April Palmerlee
Chief Executive Officer
American Chamber of Commerce in Australia
Send me an email at [email protected] and
connect with me on LinkedIn.
This month's CEO message banner features Canyonlands National Park in Utah.
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Nominations Open: 2026 AmCham Alliance Awards
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Nominations are OPEN for the 2026 AmCham Alliance Awards!
We're looking for the exceptional innovators, industry leaders, and disruptors shaping our economic future. If you or someone you know is on the cutting edge of Australian industry, this is your opportunity to be recognised by hundreds of American and Australian leaders and investors at the sixth annual Alliance Awards Gala. Categories for this years' Alliance Awards are:
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Advanced Capabilities
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Cybersecurity
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Fintech
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Future Energy
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Life Sciences
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Security and Resilience
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Space
Nominations are open to AmCham members and non-members. It's free to nominated and can be completed online in minutes.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE
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Q4 2026
CRITICAL MINERALS DELEGATION
WASHINGTON, DC | NEW YORK, NY
"Australia stands as perhaps Washington’s most vital partner in countering China’s grip on critical minerals supply chains.”
- Dr Gracelin Baskaran, Director, CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program
Australia is well-positioned to be a global leader in secure, robust minerals supply chains, and industry now faces the challenge of mobilising at pace.
AmCham is convening the Critical Minerals Delegation to connect leaders in the critical minerals and rare earths ecosystem to the legislators, policymakers, and industry leaders setting the pace and priorities for the sector. This delegation is for leaders across the minerals project ecosystem, from miners and suppliers to the enabling professional, legal, accounting, and government services supporting the shift to supply chain security.
For more information or to express your interest, please email [email protected]
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The American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AmCham) is delighted to announce the appointment of the Hon Ellen Lord to its Board of Directors.
Ms Lord served as US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment from 2017 to 2021. Prior to this, Ms Lord was President and CEO of Textron Systems, a global defence and aerospace subsidiary of Textron, Inc., a Fortune 500 company. Ms Lord is a board member for AAR Corp., Parsons Corp., SES S.A., Trident Systems, Exiger, NIOA Group and the U.S. Naval Institute. Additionally, she serves on a number of advisory boards including PsiQuantum, MIT Lincoln Lab and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
Ms Lord's appointment substantially strengthens the Boards defence sector expertise and is part of a structured expansion to add US-based directors to AmCham’s board.
Click here to read the full announcement.
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Pictured: Lynas Rare Earths CEO Amanda Lacaze (left) and CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program Director Dr Gracelin Baskaran (centre)
AmCham & CSIS Critical Minerals Tour
AmCham facilitated a learning tour of Australia's critical minerals and rare earths ecosystem for Dr Gracelin Baskaran and staff of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Critical Minerals Security Program in May.
Dr Baskaran and AmCham CEO April Palmeree visited the minerals hotspots defining Australia's place in secure supply chains, including meetings with ANSTO's Minerals Program, Resources Minister the Hon Madeleine King MP, Lynas Rare Earths CEO Amanda Lacaze, and many more industry leaders.
Read the CSIS write-up of the trip here.
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AMCHAM ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP SERIES
This series – complimentary for AmCham members – gives you and your senior colleagues direct access to the leaders of Australia’s key economic and regulatory institutions, the people shaping policy settings, competition rules, investment approvals, and the operating environment for business.
The series comprises small, in person working luncheons with the heads of the ATO, FIRB, APRA, the ACCC and ASIC. Each session will be moderated by Thomson Geer Partner and AmCham Governor John Emmerig and conducted under Chatham House Rule to enable frank, practical and high value discussion. Capacity is deliberately limited.
The next event in the series features Foreign Investment Review Board Chair Bruce Miller AO on Thursday, 9 July.
We look forward to welcoming you to what will be a highly substantive and influential series.
Click here to register your interest.
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Mars has opened an AU $112.6 million dedicated wet cat food facility in Wodonga, the largest facility of its kind in the country. The facility will produce 290 million pouches of wet cat food per year.
Picture: Mars Australia
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Australian Retirement Trust has secured its 11th consecutive win of the Chant West Award for Corporate Solutions Fund of the Year, with specific emphasis on its corporate super segment.
Picture: Chant West Awards
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Hyasta has signed its first binding MW-scale order with a global heavy-industry leader. Hysata produces highly efficient electrolysers used in green hydrogen technologies.
Picture: Hysata
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Anduril Industries has been selected by the US Air Force to deliver mission autonomy software for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, in a significant autonomous capability uplift.
Picture: Anduril
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AmCham invites members to share your updates for the chance to be featured in The CEO Message. Submissions can be made to [email protected]
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I’m delighted to welcome these new members:
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AmCham thanks our renewing members for their continued support:
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20 - 21 August 2026
Sydney & Melbourne
Women UNLIMITED Leadership Summit
Women UNLIMITED is a landmark event in August 2026, challenging leaders to expand their vision personally, professionally, and across society.
This is your opportunity to explore new ways of thinking about leadership in a world where boundaries are constantly shifting. Headlined by global leader The Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern, the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand, you will hear from voices who have led with clarity, empathy and courage under pressure - making decisive calls when certainty is limited. The focus is on how direction, trust and momentum are established when the path ahead is unclear.
Exclusive offer for American Chamber of Commerce members, use code AMCHAM to save 10% off your registration.
Don't miss this chance to elevate your leadership and gain the courage to lead differently.
Click here to visit the website for more information and to explore the full agenda
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5 - 6 November 2026
World Business Forum Sydney 2026
This November, at the World Business Forum Sydney, some of the world's most compelling voices, including Olympic champion Carl Lewis, marketing legend Seth Godin, former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, and Shazam Founder Chris Barton. They will share the insights that define great leadership.
If you're looking for your next big idea, your next bold move, or simply the energy that comes from being in a room full of people who think like you do, this is where you need to be.
Use code AMCHAM at checkout for preferential EOFY member rates.
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Click here to learn more
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