Reports today that the AUKUS agreement is under review by the US Pentagon are deeply concerning and add to a growing list of issues in Australia’s relationship with the United States – a relationship that took another hit just yesterday.

The Prime Minister must urgently seek a direct meeting with President Trump to safeguard the AUKUS agreement and ensure Australia’s national interests are protected.

Reports today that Mr Albanese’s scheduled meeting with the US President are in limbo are troublesome.  You don’t project strength by undermining alliances. Australia must show it’s serious, consistent, and committed.

If this review has been triggered by the Albanese Government’s refusal to commit to increased defence spending and its sanctioning of two Israeli ministers, then the government has very serious questions to answer about how it is managing our most critical allies.

The Coalition supports AUKUS but it relies on trust. You can’t claim to be a reliable partner abroad while picking and choosing your principles at home. Australia cannot afford to be seen as a fair-weather friend. This government has sent mixed messages to our allies, and we’re now seeing the consequences.

If AUKUS falls over it is Australia that pays the price. We would face a dangerous gap in capability at a time when we lack the capacity to go it alone.

The government must respond to serious concerns including those raised by Secretary Hegseth and institutions like the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) about our defence spending trajectory.

AUKUS, established by the former Coalition Government, is the most significant strategic initiative Australia has undertaken in decades. It underpins our future defence capability by delivering nuclear-powered submarines and providing the advanced technologies we need to deter conflict and defend our sovereignty in a far more contested Indo-Pacific.

Any delay or downgrade in the US commitment to AUKUS would have serious long-term consequences for our national security.

The Coalition will always support bipartisan cooperation on national security, but bipartisanship must not become a shield for inaction. The Prime Minister must secure the commitments Australia was promised.

ENDS.