'We are concerned': Opposition Leader Sussan Ley calls on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to meet with Donald Trump at earliest opportunity amid AUKUS crisis
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has expressed dire concern for the nation's defence, after the Trump administration launched a formal review of the AUKUS deal, suggesting it is considering "backing away" from the Biden-era pact with Australia and the United Kingdom.
"We are reviewing AUKUS as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous administration is aligned with the President's America First agenda," the official said of the review, which was first reported by Financial Times.
"Any changes to the administration's approach for AUKUS will be communicated through official channels, when appropriate."
Ms Ley told Sky News on Thursday night the Opposition is "concerned" about the AUKUS review due to the party's lack of confidence in the Albanese government's relationship with US President Donald Trump.
She further urged the PM to secure a meeting with Trump at the "earliest opportunity" to safeguard the future of the AUKUS pact.
"We are concerned about the Pentagon reviewing AUKUS because we're not sure of the standing that this government has with the President and with the US administration," she told Sky News host Kieran Gilbert.
"I feel there's something of a bystander approach from Anthony Albanese."
The Opposition Leader added she wants to see the PM do well on "team Australia moments" and her party is willing to get behind the government on initiatives that strengthen the nation.
However, she advised Mr Albanese to focus on harbouring a personal relationship with Trump as the AUKUS deal is "critical" to the nation's security in the Indo-Pacific, and "its delivery matters a great deal''.
When asked what Ms Ley thought about Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles asking the Coalition to "take a deep breath" with the AUKUS panic, she urged the Albanese government to "simply focus on the task at hand".
"I would say simply focus on the task at hand, which is building that relationship, that I've not been confident has been built from the get-go in this second Trump administration," she said.
"It is all about the personal relationship and I'm not suggesting that it's not there.
"But this does look as if the government has been caught somewhat flat-footed by the announcement of this review."
Ms Ley suggested the Labor government was not aware of the AUKUS review coming up and was instead caught off-guard.
"I just want to encourage the government to build that relationship and I haven't heard the Deputy Prime Minister point to a meeting that's coming up between our Prime Minister and the President," she added.
"Until that happens, we secure that face-to-face conversation. I don't think we will rest on this issue."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would not react to political pressure but that he would address defence policy according to need and capability.
Mr Marles also defended the Albanese government's commitment to AUKUS after the Trump administration launched their review into the $368 billion deal.
'We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review,' Mr Marles said in a statement response to the US review.
'It is natural that the administration would want to examine this major undertaking including progress and delivery.
'Our engagement with the Trump administration and across the full political spectrum of the United States has shown clear and consistent support for AUKUS.'
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