Important step for AUKUS pact

After Anthony Albanese’s slow start in engaging with Donald Trump following the US President’s election win three months ago, Australia’s $798m down payment to boost American submarine production under the AUKUS agreement is an important step in advancing the initiative.

The pact is vital for Australian and US security in the Pacific.

When newly appointed US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Defence Minister Richard Marles in Washington on Friday, Mr Hegseth assured Australia: “The President is very aware, supportive of AUKUS, recognises the importance of the defence industrial base, which the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out the investment Australia is willing to make … This is not a mission, in the Indo-Pacific, that America can undertake by itself.”

Mr Marles correctly recognised the importance of not only increasing Australia’s defence capability through nuclear-powered submarines but also “in paying our way”.

In his first presidential term Mr Trump made it clear he would not tolerate allies free-riding on US military spending and power.

The Australian funds transferred last week, well ahead of the June 30 deadline, are part of a promised $US3bn ($4.8bn) package to strengthen the US submarine industry so it can supply three to five Virginia-class boats to Australia by the early 2030s.

American submarine production currently lags behind where it needs to be for the US to supply the promised vessels to Australia without undermining its own fleet.

In light of China’s regional military build-up and aggression, AUKUS is essential to maintaining regional stability and freedom of navigation of vital trading routes.

AUKUS documents describe the pact as a commitment to “an international system that respects the rule of law, sovereignty, human rights and the peaceful resolution of disputes free from coercion”.

Beijing’s latest move to expand its influence in a region that is gaining strategic importance will unfold on Monday when Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown begins a five-day state visit to Beijing, where he will sign a strategic partnership deal with China.

The move has alarmed New Zealand, which supports the Cook Islands in a “free association agreement” in which it supplies financial resources and defence.

In 2022 China announced a security deal with Solomon Islands that included Chinese training for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

In a bid to increase its “soft power”, China also has given aid and investment to other islands across the region.