US Congress backs AUKUS ahead of hearing
Two congressmen from both the Republican and Democrat parties have signed a letter to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The letter claims Australia and the United States are 'stronger together under the AUKUS framework'.
The support comes just a day ahead of a hearing in which former prime minister Scott Morrison will testify about concerns of China's rise.
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The Age
39 minutes ago
- The Age
‘Not woke stuff': Trump administration bars US officials from Australia defence talks
Confidential talks canvassing strategies to prevent a war with China and deepen the United States-Australia alliance have been scrapped after the Trump administration abruptly blocked senior defence officials from travelling to Canberra next week. National security experts fear an array of exchanges between US and Australian counterparts will dry up following a sweeping Pentagon edict, announced this week, suspending all participation in think tank and research events because it suspects they do not align with Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda. The edict comes as the US reviews the future of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine pact and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares for a potential first meeting with Trump in September after months of no discussions between the pair. US and Australian officials were planning to meet some of the nations' top defence experts in Canberra on Monday and Tuesday next week for the fifth round of the US-Australia Indo-Pacific Deterrence Dialogue, but the event was suddenly called off on Wednesday when the American officials were told they were no longer allowed to travel to the event. Around 40 American and Australian national security figures would have gathered to discuss issues such as military integration, nuclear deterrence and strategic interaction with China at the closed-door dialogue, which involved months of planning. The so-called '1.5 track' event brings together current military leaders, government officials and diplomats with non-government researchers. Discussions are held under the Chatham House rule to foster frank discussions on sensitive and complex topics, with the participants' identities kept secret. This would have been the first time the dialogue has been held since Trump's re-election. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement: 'In order to ensure the Department of Defence is not lending its name and credibility to organisations, forums, and events that run counter to the values of this administration, the Department's Office of Public Affairs will be conducting a thorough vetting of every event where Defence officials are invited to participate.' Rory Medcalf, head of the Australian National University's National Security College, said the 'cancellation of this dialogue is disappointing and counterproductive for alliance interests'.
Sydney Morning Herald
39 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Not woke stuff': Trump administration bars US officials from Australia defence talks
Confidential talks canvassing strategies to prevent a war with China and deepen the United States-Australia alliance have been scrapped after the Trump administration abruptly blocked senior defence officials from travelling to Canberra next week. National security experts fear an array of exchanges between US and Australian counterparts will dry up following a sweeping Pentagon edict, announced this week, suspending all participation in think tank and research events because it suspects they do not align with Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda. The edict comes as the US reviews the future of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine pact and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares for a potential first meeting with Trump in September after months of no discussions between the pair. US and Australian officials were planning to meet some of the nations' top defence experts in Canberra on Monday and Tuesday next week for the fifth round of the US-Australia Indo-Pacific Deterrence Dialogue, but the event was suddenly called off on Wednesday when the American officials were told they were no longer allowed to travel to the event. Around 40 American and Australian national security figures would have gathered to discuss issues such as military integration, nuclear deterrence and strategic interaction with China at the closed-door dialogue, which involved months of planning. The so-called '1.5 track' event brings together current military leaders, government officials and diplomats with non-government researchers. Discussions are held under the Chatham House rule to foster frank discussions on sensitive and complex topics, with the participants' identities kept secret. This would have been the first time the dialogue has been held since Trump's re-election. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement: 'In order to ensure the Department of Defence is not lending its name and credibility to organisations, forums, and events that run counter to the values of this administration, the Department's Office of Public Affairs will be conducting a thorough vetting of every event where Defence officials are invited to participate.' Rory Medcalf, head of the Australian National University's National Security College, said the 'cancellation of this dialogue is disappointing and counterproductive for alliance interests'.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Palestine, AUKUS set for debate at Labor love-in
A key defence partnership and Middle East policy will come into sharp focus at a Labor conference as protesters try to disrupt the love-in after the party's thumping election win. Party leaders, members and union officials will gather for the Victorian Labor state conference on Saturday and Sunday in Melbourne, with MPs to rub shoulders with the rank and file. A raft of grassroots resolutions will be put up for debate and voted on across the two days, although the motions are not binding on the state or federal Labor governments. These include one calling for immediate action against the "military occupation, siege and genocide" in Palestine. A similar resolution passed at the state conference in 2024 after the terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and the nation's subsequent military campaign in Gaza. Suggestions within the motion, which is subject to change, include comprehensive sanctions on members of Israel's Netanyahu government and legislating improved military trade transparency and tracking laws. Labor's official platform backs Palestinian statehood but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to set a timeline for the policy's implementation, recently declaring it was not imminent. More draft motions seen by AAP relate to the AUKUS nuclear submarines pact, US President Donald Trump, a public housing towers redevelopment plan and the right to peaceful assembly. A rally has been called outside the event by a coalition of groups opposing the "genocide in Gaza", forced administration of the embattled CFMEU and incoming state protest laws. Security has been tightened for the event after pro-Palestine protesters stormed the venue in 2024. The major security breach led to the conference floor being locked down and delayed speeches by Mr Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan, who has warned people not to bring their "extremist behaviour" to the 2025 conference. "If they want to join the Labor party and be part of the debate and discussion inside the room, that's how you make a difference," Ms Allan said. A Victoria Police spokesperson said the force was prepared for protest action and ready to respond if needed. The conference falls on the same weekend as Garma Festival in the Northern Territory's remote northeast Arnhem Land. Mr Albanese is expected to attend the four-day festival, with another senior leader to give the federal address to the state Labor faithful in his place. With issues mounting after a decade in power, the Victorian Labor brand was viewed as a drag on the Albanese government's hopes for re-election in the lead-up to the May 3 poll. Labor ultimately retained all of its Victorian seats and added MPs for Deakin, Menzies and Melbourne to its ballooning lower-house benches in Canberra.
