Payne talks defence with new US minister
AAP
Defence Minister Marise Payne has spoken with her new US counterpart about the strong relationship Australia shares with Washington.
US Secretary of Defense James Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general, thanked Senator Payne for Australia's military involvement in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
He was encouraged by progress with arrangements for American troops being based in Darwin, including a recent cost-sharing deal, and told Senator Payne he looked forward to further discussions when they met, the US Defense department said.
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