Anthony Albanese 'confident' AUKUS will prevail despite US review into defence pact
Anthony Albanese has rejected comments that the Pentagon's review into the AUKUS defence deal threatens the future of the pact, with Australia yet to confirm a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Speaking from Nadi, Fiji on Friday afternoon, the Prime Minister said the new Trump administration was entitled to review existing policies, noting the United Kingdom had undertaken a similar process following the election of Labour's Keir Starmer in July 2024.
While the US evaluation will assess whether the multi-billion dollar pact remains 'aligned with the President's America First agenda,' Mr Albanese backed its future.
'We are very confident, though, that AUKUS is in the interest of all three of our nations, and that it will play an important role in peace, security and stability around the world, at a time when that is absolutely necessary,' he said.
Mr Albanese also sidestepped a question asking whether Labor would bring forward its current plans to lift defence spending to 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2033-34 as a 'sign of good faith' to the US.
While current investment is at 2 per cent of GDP, US Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth has called on Australia to boost the figure to 3.5 per cent.
Earlier, Coalition defence spokesman Angus Taylor warned Australia had a 'very high price to pay if AUKUS fails,' putting increased pressure on Mr Albanese to meet with Mr Trump.
'What discussions has Richard Marles already had? To what extent is our lack of defence spending a driver of this review? When will the Prime Minister meet with the President to actually discuss this face-to-face?' he said.
'These are questions we need answers to, and they're questions that go to the heart of making sure that AUKUS is a success and that we ensure that we have peace through deterrence in our region.'
Mr Albanese met with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
Mr Rabuka said it was a 'great honour to receive the Prime Minister of Australia,' and congratulated Labor on its win.
Mr Albanese said Fiji was a 'great friend of Australia,' spruiking the alliance amid growing global fragility.
'We in Australia understand that in today's uncertain world what we need is partners and friends that we can rely on, who are trusted and you, my friend, are a trusted partner and friend of Australia,' he said.
'So this is a relationship about defence and security, about our economy, but most, most importantly, about our people.'
The Labor leader also commented on recent developments that Israel had launched strikes on Iran, allegedly killing key military leaders and nuclear scientists.
Mr Albanese said it was a 'concerning' escalation in the region and urged Australians not to travel to the area. He said he wanted to see the issue resolved through 'dialogue', commending the US for its 'important role' in peace talks.
Mr Albanese was welcomed to the island country on Friday afternoon with Fijian honour guard upon arrival, members of the local greeting party included Fijian Deputy Primeminister Biman Prasad, the Republic of Fiji's Deputy Commander of the Military Forces Commodore Humphrey Tawake and Fiji Police Force Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu.
Australia's welcome delegation included our High Commissioner to Fiji and Australia's defence adviser to Fiji Colonel Henry Stimson.
Mr Albanese will fly to Seattle on the United States West Coast on Saturday morning, where he is expected to meet with business leaders with a focus on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
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