Joe Biden forgets Scott Morrison’s name in historic nuclear AUKUS announcement

Amid a historic announcement, US President Joe Biden stumbled over one of his new partners’ names.

In a historic joint announcement with the United States and the United Kingdom detailing Australia’s nuclear transition, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been called “that fellow Down Under” by President Joe Biden.

Mr Morrison on Thursday morning confirmed Australia would use American and British technology to build its next fleet of submarines, replacing the existing Collins class warships.

Mr Morrison made it clear Australia was not seeking to establish nuclear weapons or a civil nuclear capability and would abide by non-proliferation obligations.

The new venture comes as Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have formed a new trilateral security partnership – AUKUS – with a focus on technology and long-term stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

During the press conference, which featured leaders from all countries in their respective capital cities, Mr Biden thanked “that fellow Down Under” for bringing the countries together.

US President Joe Biden thanked ‘that fellow Down Under’ during the inaugural AUKUS announcement on Thursday. Picture: Brendan Smialowski / AFP

“Thank you Boris, and I want to thank that fellow Down Under,” Mr Biden said.

“Thank you very much, pal! Appreciate it, Mr Prime Minister.”

He quickly backtracked and addressed Mr Morrison by name as he thanked him for his partnership, but the fumble was not missed.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the United States and the United Kingdom Australia’s ‘best’ friends. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage

Speaking later on Thursday from Parliament House, Mr Morrison called the new agreement a “forever partnership” between “the oldest and most trusted of friends”.

“This forever partnership … is the greatest initiative to achieve the goals (of stability and security of our region) since the ANZUS Alliance itself.

“It has been the product of great patience, of great determination, of a deep relationship forged between our nations and indeed, the personal working relationships we have been able to forge between leaders.”

His real name is Scott Morrison. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage

The new vessels will not be armed with nuclear weapons, but will use the nuclear-powered technology used by the US and the UK.

They will be built in Adelaide, and will not need civil nuclear capability, because the submarines will use reactors that “do not need refuelling during the life of the boat”, Mr Morrison said.

Mr Morrison said over the next 18 months the three countries would work together to “seek to determine the best way forward”.

“This will include an intense examination of what we need to do to exercise our nuclear stewardship responsibilities here in Australia,” Mr Morrison said.

Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty said the task-force would set up a number of working groups with the US and the UK.

The announcement is expected to be met with some retaliation by China, who are likely to see it as an attack on their regional influence.

Mr Morrison said the opportunity to develop the new technology was “game-changing”, but mirrored the developments of “strategic circumstances” in the region.

“(They) continue to accelerate at a pace not even envisaged as little as five years ago,” Mr Morrison said on Thursday.

Mr Morrison said the partnership would aim to ensure ‘long-term peace and stability’ in the Indo-Pacific. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage

Mr Biden said the aim of the agreement was to ensure long term peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Because the future of each of our nations, and indeed, the world, depends on a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Mr Biden said.

“This is about investing in our greatest source of strength. Our alliances and updating them to better meet the threats of today and tomorrow.”

Mr Morrison raced back to Canberra from Sydney on Tuesday to convene a National Security Committee of cabinet ahead of the announcement.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and a number of senior shadow ministers were briefed ahead of the announcement.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese welcomed the AUKUS announcement but asked to be included in the process ahead of the next election. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Mr Albanese said the announcement “made sense” to ensure there was “maximum interoperability”.

But, given there is an election to be called in coming months, Mr Albanese has asked the Opposition be involved in further consultation ahead of the caretaker period.

“And, I have suggested, as a mark of good faith to the Prime Minister this morning, that we establish a joint mechanism between the government and opposition senior members so that we have oversight of this process,” he said.

“It is up to him to show the goodwill for bipartisanship on this matter that it requires... I think it is only reasonable that we ensure that we’re able to move forward as whoever forms government after the next election.”

Mr Albanese said he had a number of questions, including about the cost of abandoning the current program and the cost of the new program.

Originally published as Joe Biden forgets Scott Morrison’s name in historic nuclear AUKUS announcement