Scott Morrison meets Nancy Pelosi in Washington

Scott Morrison spent his first full day in Washington lobbying for the success of the dramatic new Australian, United Kingdom and US submarine agreement.

Scott Morrison spent his first full day in Washington DC of his United States tour in heart of the American political system lobbying for the success of the dramatic new Australian, United Kingdom and US submarine agreement after two days of high-level leadership discussions.

The Prime Minister’s full day in Washington included a visit to the powerful Democratic majority Congressional speaker, Nancy Pelosi, Republican Senate leader, Mitch McConnell and intelligence and defence Senate and Congressional committees.

Mr Morrison told Ms Pelosi, as a crucial Democrat in the Congress that could decide the fate of the new submarine and the strategic Australia, United Kingdom and US agreement (AUKUS), that he understood the new agreement and the 70-year-old ANZUS agreement were not just between executive governments but between “the parliament and the Congress”.

“We understand that relationship is absolutely critical to the success of our partnership, between Australia and the United States. And now, as we go into a new period of the relationship under AUKUS,” Mr Morrison said in the Capitol building.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison attends a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington given by Mr Lloyd James Austin III, United States Secretary of Defence. Picture: Adam Taylor

“The Congress and the Senate, will play a key role in ensuring the responsibilities that we are seeking to take on,” Mr Morrison said. He said he was keen provide assurances that the US and Australia could work together to implement the new partnership.

“I am looking forward to having the discussions about how we’re going to progress that new era of our partnership,” Mr Morrison said.

Ms Pelosi the combination of security issues and the Covid pandemic meant it was a prefect time to welcome Mr Morrison to Washington.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison lays a wreath in memory of those lost on 9/11. Picture: Adam Taylor

“The Covid crisis is still with us, and we can learn from each other about that, tackling again so many things in terms of cooperation on security but also strengthening our relationship with regard to trade and commerce,” Ms Pelosi, who is crucial for US President Joe Biden

passing any legislation through the Congress and Senate, said.

Ms Pelosi thanked Mr Morrison for Australia’s “leadership on climate change” and said there was much to discuss.

As well as putting a wreath on the shrine of the remembrance of victims of the 9/11 terror attack in Washington Mr Morrison had meetings with congressional and Senate intelligence and foreign affairs committees after a whirlwind day in New York meeting US President Joe Biden and European leaders in New York and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in Washington.