AUKUS future shrouded in secrecy as Marles deflects questions on US review

US and Australian politicians have breathlessly hailed the future of AUKUS, insisting the pact is going “full steam ahead”. But one huge question is lingering.

Check the transcripts of today’s AUSMIN meetings in Washington and you’ll find the phrase “full steam ahead” used no less than a dozen times by US and Australian politicians as they breathlessly hailed the future of AUKUS.

But the question remains — where are we actually going?

To borrow from the nautical theme, this is starting to feel reminiscent of the Titanic — going full steam ahead into the night when we have no idea what lies ahead.

The Pentagon last week finalised its long-awaited review of the trilateral submarine defence pact to ensure it complied with the Trump administration’s America First policy.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong at the State Department in Washington, DC. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

It is yet to be made public but officials who have seen it say it makes recommendations for how to improve upon the deal originally struck by Scott Morrison, Joe Biden and Boris Johnson.

US Congressman Joe Courtney said the report had outlined “critical deadlines” all three countries need to meet.

Experts had predicted the US review could include recommendations seeking increased defence spending from Australia, clarity around Canberra’s position in the event of Chinese aggression against Taiwan, and streamlining the ambitious but unfocused Pillar II.

Defence Minister Richard Marle did not offer insight into how the AUKUS pact will be reshaped. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Defence Minister Richard Marles has now had a copy of the review on his desk for more than a week.

Those hoping for clarity braced for a joint announcement this week as Mr Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrived in Washington for AUSMIN meetings with Donald Trump’s two most senior cabinet members — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The four fronted press in the State Department’s lavish gold-trimmed Benjamin Franklin Room surrounded by Christmas trees topped with American eagles.

Richard Marles and Penny Wong with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Picture: Getty Images

But aside from assurances the submarine pact was “full steam ahead”, the foursome offered no insight into how the AUKUS pact will be reshaped.

Secretary Hegseth praised Australia’s commitment to delivering its next $1.5 billion AUKUS instalment check as agreed under the original terms but gave no detail about the future of the defence pact it is paying for.

The leaders said the submarine pact was “full steam ahead”.

In a tense press conference later at the residence of Australian Ambassador Kevin Rudd, Mr Marles was asked by reporters a dozen times about America’s plans to alter the AUKUS pact but repeatedly deflected.

At one point he claimed his evasions were out of respect to the US-conducted review.

Surely the Australian taxpayers who are footing the mammoth bill and whose safety and security rely on this deal also deserve the respect of transparency.

Originally published as AUKUS future shrouded in secrecy as Marles deflects questions on US review