Penny Wong stresses AUKUS ‘benefits’ in call with Marco Rubio

Australia’s top diplomat has made the case for AUKUS directly with her US counterpart as it remains unclear when Anthony Albanese will meet Donald Trump.

The country’s chief diplomat has stressed the “benefits” of AUKUS in a call with US State Secretary Marco Rubio amid concerns Washington could be looking to pull out of the defence pact.

The US Department of Defence earlier this month announced it was reviewing AUKUS to ensure it aligned with Donald Trump’s “American first” agenda.

The Albanese government has brushed off concerns the 30-day audit signalled waning US support for the deal with Australia and the UK, with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles repeatedly calling it a “natural” move.

But with AUKUS the centrepiece of Australia’s defence strategy over the first half of this century and Anthony Albanese yet to secure a face-to-face with the US President, it has offered little reassurance.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Friday she and her US counterpart discussed “the importance of our partnership to stability, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific”.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has stressed the ‘benefits’ of AUKUS in a call with her US counterpart Marco Rubio. Picture: AFP / Andrew Caballero-Reynolds

“I have outlined … the benefits to all countries, all three countries of the AUKUS agreement – an agreement which I think is so important for strategic balance in the region,” Senator Wong told reporters in Adelaide.

“That means protecting peace, preventing conflict, and assuring prosperity and security for all countries.

“I’ve also outlined, just as the Prime Minister has, the near-term benefits to the United States, including additional maintenance days and more days in the water for more submarines.”

She refused to give a read on whether Mr Rubio backed the deal, only saying that “he’s on record as understanding the importance of AUKUS”.

“But obviously we’ll work through the review with the United States,” Senator Wong said.

“It’s unsurprising that they would engage in a review just as the United Kingdom did.”

US State Secretary Marco Rubio has previously backed AUKUS. Picture: AFP / Andrew Caballero-Reynolds

Canberra has already spent billions laying the groundwork to acquire and build nuclear-powered submarines and train personnel to crew them under AUKUS.

Washington has committed to supply up to five Virginia-class submarines starting in 2032.

But sluggish submarine production has put the US on track to face a shortage early next decade.

Mr Trump can renege on AUKUS commitments if they endanger US national security.

To help bolster production, Australia has agreed to inject $4.6bn into the US defence industrial base.

Originally published as Penny Wong stresses AUKUS ‘benefits’ in call with Marco Rubio