‘We make our own decisions': Matt Thistlethwaite snaps back at US official's demand for Australia to outline role in Taiwan conflict

Sky News AU

14-07-2025

The Albanese government has insisted Australia will 'make our own decisions' about the use of nuclear submarines bought as part of the AUKUS agreement, despite pressure from an outspoken US defence official.
The UK's Financial Times reported over the weekend that US under-secretary of defence for policy Elbridge Colby had been pressuring Australian and Japanese officials to outline the role they would play if a conflict between the US and China broke out over Taiwan.
The demand has been defended by Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell, who said it was "a simple fact that our allies must also do their part".
"We do not seek war. What we are doing is ensuring the United States and its allies have the military strength to underwrite diplomacy and guarantee peace," he said.
Responding on Monday, Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlewaite said any decisions about a future conflict between the US and China would be made by the government of the day.
'Decisions such as that are made by the Australian Government. We act in our national interests. We are a sovereign nation, and we make our own decisions,' the Labor MP told Sky News Australia First Edition host Peter Stefanovic.
Mr Thistlethwaite said the Albanese government wanted to see a 'peaceful, stable region which benefits all'.
'We're trying to make sure that it maintains peace and stability. That's the whole purpose of the way that the government operates in international relations,' he said.
Under-secretary Colby is a high-profile sceptic of selling Australia nuclear submarines and is undertaking a review of the AUKUS agreement that makes the transfer of the nuclear submarine technology possible.
Mr Colby responded to the reports in the Financial Times in a post on X, claiming he was implementing the President's agenda of 'restoring deterrence and achieving peace through strength', adding that it included 'urging allies to step up their defense spending and other efforts related to our collective defence'.
'This has been a hallmark of President Trump's strategy - in Asia as in Europe where it has already been tremendously successful,' he said.
'Of course, some among our allies might not welcome frank conversations. But many, now led by NATO after the historic Hague Summit, are seeing the urgent need to step up and are doing so.
'President Trump has shown the approach and the formula - and we will not be deterred from advancing his agenda.'
Taiwan functions as a de-facto independent country, officially the Republic of China.
However the Chinese Communist Party maintains the island nation is part of the People's Republic of China, and Taiwan's leaders have not officially declared independence.
Publicly outlining the role Australia would play would signal an end to the policy of 'strategic ambiguity' both Australia and the United States have long maintained when it comes to Taiwan.
Asked about Mr Colby's comments on Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressed that Australia did not support 'any unilateral action' when it came to Taiwan.
'We support the status quo when it comes to Taiwan. We don't support any unilateral action there. We have a clear position and we have been consistent about that,' he said.
'We want peace and security in our region. We don't want any change to the status quo. That's Australia's position today. That was Australia's decision last week.'