Anthony Albanese’s US trip marks significant opportunity for AUKUS progress, Israel talks, says Kevin Rudd

Anthony Albanese’s trip to the US will encourage “real progress” on a contentious issue, according to former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd.

Former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd says Anthony Albanese’s meetings with US President Joe Biden will be “extremely important” amid an unfolding war crisis in Gaza and stalling congressional delays on the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal.

Mr Albanese landed in Washington DC on Monday ahead of a meeting with Mr Biden, marking the ninth in-person meeting between the two leaders since last year’s Australian election.

Mr Rudd, Australia’s ambassador to the US, said Mr Albanese’s presence would encourage “real progress” in lobbying Congress to pass AUKUS legislation and drive forward discussions around China.

Anthony Albanese flew out to Washington on Sunday for an official state visit and dinner at the White House. Picture: Martin Ollman/NCA NewsWire

“Here in Washington, the Prime Minister will be focused on the reaffirmation of our alliance with the United States and also expanding our alliance in terms of its economic and clean energy dimensions,” Mr Rudd told reporters on Monday.

“We’re expecting some good outcomes this week. There’s been a lot of prep that’s gone into it.”

Mr Albanese is expected to meet with US legislators during his four-day stint to strike new deals on critical minerals and hash out details on the rising conflict in the Middle East.

Following US orders to prepare more than 2000 troops for potential deployment, Mr Rudd said he had received no request to ship out more Australian soldiers to assist with the crisis.

“We have no such advice or indication from the United States at all. The bottom line is that it’s time for cool heads to prevail,” he said.

On speculation around a looming ground invasion by Israel’s military into, Gaza Mr Rudd said it was “very difficult” to speculate on what would happen next.

He pressed that both Mr Albanese and the US would focus on de-escalation, citing Mr Biden’s in-person talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week.

“I do know that President Biden has shown great leadership by going to Israel and having long discussions with the Israeli leadership and various Arab leaders as well. All the diplomacy around has been focused on not escalating this conflict further,” Mr Rudd said.

The Israel-Hamas war will most likely dominate discussions between Mr Albanese and US President Joe Biden. Picture: Kent Nishimura/AFP.

Both leaders are expected to discuss growing delays plaguing the $368bn AUKUS deal, which has faced unexpected hurdles, namely a political rift moving through US congress.

Under the original plan, Australia will buy three nuclear-powered submarines from “as soon as” the early 2030s.

Mr Rudd flagged “good” progress on the landmark deal and said Mr Albanese’s trip should encourage legislators to move past resistance.

“I’m pretty encouraged so far about the signals we are getting,” he said on Monday.

“The democratic process here takes some time and we need to be patient, but I see things moving in the right direction, but the PM’s engagement will be of deep importance.”

Bureaucratic spats have heavily delayed the three-country AUKUS project which will supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. Picture: Supplied

After landing, Mr Albanese is also due to meet with Vice-President Kamala Harris, with his other senior cabinet ministers due to catch up with congressional leaders across the US House and Senate.

Hours before takeoff on Sunday, Mr Albanese affirmed that he would urge Mr Biden at their meeting to “remain focused on the Indo-Pacific ­region”.

This came after Mr Albanese confirmed he would be the first prime minister in seven years to visit Beijing and Shanghai in early November.

“It’s in Australia’s interest to have good relations with China,“ he told reporters.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese’s US trip marks significant opportunity for AUKUS progress, Israel talks, says Kevin Rudd