The Prime Minister will double down on the AUKUS arrangements, saying they are about much more than nuclear-powered submarines, or even technology exchange.
Instead, the Prime Minister will say: “AUKUS is about the future. It further formalises the common values and shared interest our three nations have in preserving peace and upholding the rules and institutions that secure our world and the region.”
This is the most comprehensive commitment the Albanese government has made to AUKUS. It not only ties the government to the most intimate relationship with our traditional ally in Washington, but to a modern, values- and interests-based engagement with our great friend, Britain, free of any historical hang-ups in any direction.
Albanese is highly ambitious for the nuclear-powered submarines, describing them as “the biggest leap in our defence capability in our history”.
This puts a huge emphasis on continued speculation the government may be able to secure one, or two, nuclear-powered subs some time in the 2030s, before Australia can possibly have finished making one in Adelaide.
Watch this space, very carefully.
The international capital that will feel most neuralgia in response to Albanese’s AUKUS commitments is Beijing. It is to his credit that he doesn’t temper even the declaratory side of AUKUS to seek favour with Beijing, while his government is reasonably attempting to stabilise the relationship with China.
In equally important comments on the Defence Strategic Review, Albanese recognises there will be capability gaps Australia must fill. Again, his commitment is unequivocal: “I can promise all Australians that our government will ensure that Defence has the resources it needs to defend our nation and deter potential aggressors.”
It serves the national interest that the government is so clear on the need to substantially improve our military capabilities and the commitment this will require in budgetary resources.
This is not only a service to debate, it ties the government to these critically important security benchmarks. We want to see the DSR, and the government’s response, as soon as possible, well before May’s budget. This speech is an encouraging signpost.
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Anthony Albanese will on Wednesday underline his government’s commitment to the AUKUS partnership with the US and Britain, and to spending whatever is required to implement necessary defence upgrades arising out of the Defence Strategic Review, in a speech to the National Press Club.