Scott Morrison handed highest recognition in King's Birthday honours
National
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been handed the highest recognition in this year's King's Birthday honours list.
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Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
AUKUS defence pact 'being reviewed' by US government
The US government is reportedly reviewing the AUKUS trilateral defence agreement between Australia, the UK and the US. The decision to conduct a review has been reported by multiple news outlets including Reuters, which cited US defence officials without giving further details. The review will reportedly examine whether the pact is in line with US President Donald Trump's 'America First' policy, according to the ABC which also cited a Pentagon source. AUKUS is a three-nation security alliance between Australia, the UK and the US agreed in 2021 under the prime ministership of ex-Liberal leader Scott Morrison. It was formed to counter China's strategic moves in the Pacific arena and was underpinned by an agreement between the US and the UK to provide Australia with access to nuclear-powered submarine technology, to eventually replace its aging Collins-class boats. The deal is worth hundreds of billions of dollars, although the first submarine is not expected to join the Australian fleet for years. Australia, which in February made the first of six $US500 million (about $800 million) payments to the US for the boats, is expected to initially buy between three and five off-the-shelf Virginia-class boats. At the time, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Mr Trump was supportive of the AUKUS deal. "The president is very aware, supportive of AUKUS," Mr Hegseth said after a meeting with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles. "(He) recognises the importance of the defence industrial base." Mr Marles responded that the pair had discussed how the US and Australia could advance their longstanding diplomatic relationship in terms of national security, including AUKUS. Australia's military budget is expected to rise to 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product, or output, by 2034. The US regime has already called for Australia to increase that spending to around 3.5 per cent. Australia tore up its $90 billion diesel-powered submarine deal with France to sign on to AUKUS and is contracted to buy several off-the-shelf submarines costing about $US4 billion each, before making its own. The first Australian-made boats are not due to be operational until the 2040s.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
AUKUS defence pact 'being reviewed' by US government
The US government is reportedly reviewing the AUKUS trilateral defence agreement between Australia, the UK and the US. The decision to conduct a review has been reported by multiple news outlets including Reuters, which cited US defence officials without giving further details. The review will reportedly examine whether the pact is in line with US President Donald Trump's 'America First' policy, according to the ABC which also cited a Pentagon source. AUKUS is a three-nation security alliance between Australia, the UK and the US agreed in 2021 under the prime ministership of ex-Liberal leader Scott Morrison. It was formed to counter China's strategic moves in the Pacific arena and was underpinned by an agreement between the US and the UK to provide Australia with access to nuclear-powered submarine technology, to eventually replace its aging Collins-class boats. The deal is worth hundreds of billions of dollars, although the first submarine is not expected to join the Australian fleet for years. Australia, which in February made the first of six $US500 million (about $800 million) payments to the US for the boats, is expected to initially buy between three and five off-the-shelf Virginia-class boats. At the time, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Mr Trump was supportive of the AUKUS deal. "The president is very aware, supportive of AUKUS," Mr Hegseth said after a meeting with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles. "(He) recognises the importance of the defence industrial base." Mr Marles responded that the pair had discussed how the US and Australia could advance their longstanding diplomatic relationship in terms of national security, including AUKUS. Australia's military budget is expected to rise to 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product, or output, by 2034. The US regime has already called for Australia to increase that spending to around 3.5 per cent. Australia tore up its $90 billion diesel-powered submarine deal with France to sign on to AUKUS and is contracted to buy several off-the-shelf submarines costing about $US4 billion each, before making its own. The first Australian-made boats are not due to be operational until the 2040s.
9 News
2 hours ago
- 9 News
AUKUS in sudden doubt as Pentagon launches 'America First' review
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Pentagon launches review of AUKUS pact The Pentagon is reviewing the trilateral AUKUS agreement, putting the future of Australia's submarine fleet in question. "The department is reviewing AUKUS as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous administration is aligned with the President's America First agenda," a US defence official told the Sydney Morning Herald . "As (Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth) has made clear, this means ensuring the highest readiness of our service members, that allies step up fully to do their part for collective defence, and that the defence industrial base is meeting our needs. This review will ensure the initiative meets these common-sense, America First criteria." Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia would gain access to nuclear submarines. (9News) Another official had said the Donald Trump administration was "regularly" reviewing agreements with other countries to ensure they were to the benefit of the US, especially if they had been established under Trump's predecessor Joe Biden. The AUKUS agreement, a trilateral defence agreement between the US, Australia, and the UK, was established under Biden, then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2021. One of the chief pillars of the agreement from Australia's perspective was the decision for Canberra to purchase nuclear-powered submarines in a $368 billion deal as an enhanced deterrent. Scott Morrison joins UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden to unveil new AUKUS defence pact on September 16, 2021 (9News) However, broader technology and defence sharing was also enshrined in the agreement. Australia has already paid its first $500 million installment on the submarines agreement. The AUKUS pact has generally enjoyed bipartisan support in the US and Australia, though critics have questioned the value of the submarine fleet for Australia, especially given the 2030s deadline. The revelation of the review will add to the pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when he attends the G7 meeting in Canada this week. military defence USA Australia national CONTACT US Auto news:Is this the next Subaru WRX? Mysterious performance car teased.
