<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Anthony Albanese seemingly made a subtle attempt to distance Australia's reliance on the United States during a keynote speech made in Sydney overnight.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/prime-minister-anthony-albanese-envoke-wartime-leader-john-curtin-speech-washington/c2e58baa-ffd8-42d7-81ee-3bf44a569b88" rel="" target="_blank" title='The prime minister was predicted to "ruffle feathers" in Washington'><span>The prime minister was predicted to "ruffle feathers" in Washington</span></a><span> ahead of his address where he dusted off the playbook used by wartime Labor PM John Curtin, who died in office 80 years ago.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese used his speech to lionise Curtin and his legacy forming an alliance with the US, before emphasising that Australia is in control of its own future.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-news-two-teenagers-charged-over-alleged-hit-and-run-stolen-car-helensvale/775b6c64-e442-4334-9aaa-2535c2d8289d" rel="" target="_blank" title="Two teenagers charged over allegedly hit and run with stolen Mercedes"><strong><span>Two teenagers charged over allegedly hit and run with stolen Mercedes</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Curtin's famous statement that Australia 'looked to America' was much more than the idea of trading one strategic guarantor for another," Albanese said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Or swapping an alliance with the old world for one with the new.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It was a recognition that Australia's fate would be decided in our region."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/anthony-albanese-makes-subtle-attempt-to-distance-australia-reliance-on-usa-keynote-speech-john-curtin/94528e5d-a6d2-4a2a-b04f-1d191b9a2aa5" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese said Curtin ensured that Australians "spoke for ourselves, as a sovereign nation".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/alleged-arson-attack-on-synagogue-in-melbourne/41ffd37f-7158-4355-8dd3-ad1c1702e8e2" target="_blank" title="Man charged over arson attack on Melbourne synagogue "><strong><span>Man charged over arson attack on Melbourne synagogue </span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He also praised the former PM for championing Australia's interests on the global stage while also maintaining our independence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"So we remember Curtin not just because he looked to America. We honour him because he spoke for Australia," he added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For Australia and for Labor, that independence has never meant isolationism. Choosing our own way, doesn't mean going it alone."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The PM reminded listeners that Australia was not "shackled" by its history.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Instead, he said the nation should learn from and build on its political past.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He ended by echoing Curtin's policy of independently deciding how Australia deals with overseas threats and global issues.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We can choose the way we engage with our region and deal with the world," the PM said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The stability and prosperity we build and defend with our partners, the peace and security we seek for ourselves."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia has seen eight decades of an enduring US friendship and strategic partnership.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However experts believe yesterday's speech could be a bold move from the PM to change how that partnership plays out.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Undoubtedly, Albanese is sending a message to Washington and the Trump administration that Australia is ultimately in control of its own destiny," Professor James Curran of University of Sydney told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Several months after Donald Trump's inauguration, Anthony Albanese is yet to book a face-to-face with the president.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I don't believe Mr Albanese has done all he can here to strengthen Australia's position in relation to the United States," Shadow Attorney-General Julian Leeser said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/afp-drugs-four-women-charged-vinegar-and-chilli-soaked-towels/1451d367-cf1c-431d-adbf-aa9b04db52eb"><strong><span>Four women could face life sentences over 'spicy' airport drug plot</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Curtin re-wrote Australia's foreign policy playbook and is honoured as the founding father of Australia's alliance with the US.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Here we are talking about the opportunity to run a more independent course from Washington," Curran added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'd say this will ruffle feathers of Uncle Sam."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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