Latest news with #RichardMarles

ABC News
24 minutes ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Australia hosts defence talks with the UK
Tomorrow, Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong will host talks with their British counterparts. Defence Minister Richard Marles speaks to 7.30's Sarah Ferguson. Jacob Greber joins Sarah Ferguson to discuss politics of the day.

Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia quietly pays US another $800 million for AUKUS despite review
Washington: Australia has quietly paid the United States another $800 million towards the AUKUS submarine deal, taking the total to $1.6 billion, despite the Trump administration placing the agreement under a review. This masthead confirmed the second payment was made in the second quarter of this year, per the agreed schedule. By the end of 2025, Canberra will have paid $US2 billion, or just over $3 billion, to the American shipbuilding industry to boost submarine production. A Defence Department spokesperson said Australia had been clear since March 2023 that it would make a 'proportionate contribution' to the American industrial base under the AUKUS agreement. 'Australia's contribution is about accelerating US production rates and maintenance to enable the delivery of Australia's future Virginia class submarines,' the spokesperson said. 'The payments are occurring in line with Australia's commitment to contribute US$2 billion by the end of 2025, which underscores our commitment to the successful delivery of AUKUS Pillar I outcomes.' The government was unfazed by the Pentagon's review of the AUKUS agreement and said it was natural that a new US administration would want to examine the progress of key initiatives. 'All three countries are continuing to progress the AUKUS pathway at pace, ensuring it meets national and trilateral objectives,' the Defence spokesperson said. While Australia's first $800 million payment was announced with fanfare in February, when Defence Minister Richard Marles met his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, in Washington, the second payment was not announced.

The Age
a day ago
- Business
- The Age
Australia quietly pays US another $800 million for AUKUS despite review
Washington: Australia has quietly paid the United States another $800 million towards the AUKUS submarine deal, taking the total to $1.6 billion, despite the Trump administration placing the agreement under a review. This masthead confirmed the second payment was made in the second quarter of this year, per the agreed schedule. By the end of 2025, Canberra will have paid $US2 billion, or just over $3 billion, to the American shipbuilding industry to boost submarine production. A Defence Department spokesperson said Australia had been clear since March 2023 that it would make a 'proportionate contribution' to the American industrial base under the AUKUS agreement. 'Australia's contribution is about accelerating US production rates and maintenance to enable the delivery of Australia's future Virginia class submarines,' the spokesperson said. 'The payments are occurring in line with Australia's commitment to contribute US$2 billion by the end of 2025, which underscores our commitment to the successful delivery of AUKUS Pillar I outcomes.' The government was unfazed by the Pentagon's review of the AUKUS agreement and said it was natural that a new US administration would want to examine the progress of key initiatives. 'All three countries are continuing to progress the AUKUS pathway at pace, ensuring it meets national and trilateral objectives,' the Defence spokesperson said. While Australia's first $800 million payment was announced with fanfare in February, when Defence Minister Richard Marles met his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, in Washington, the second payment was not announced.


Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Australia delivers Abrams tanks to Ukraine for war with Russia
SYDNEY: Australia's government said on Saturday it had delivered M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a A$245 million ($160 million) package to help the country defend itself against Russia in their ongoing war. Australia, one of the largest non-NATO contributors to Ukraine, has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment since Moscow invaded its neighbour in February 2022. Ukraine has taken possession of most of the 49 tanks given by Australia, and the rest will be delivered in coming months, said Defence Minister Richard Marles. 'The M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion,' Marles said in a statement. Russia hands Ukraine bodies of 1,000 soldiers The tanks formed part of the A$1.5 billion ($980 million) that Canberra has provided Ukraine in the conflict, the government said. Australia has also banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities. Australia's centre-left Labor government this year labeled Russia as the aggressor in the conflict and called for the war to be resolved on Kyiv's terms.


AsiaOne
5 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Australia delivers Abrams tanks to Ukraine for war with Russia, World News
SYDNEY -Australia's government said on Saturday (July 19) it had delivered M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a A$245 million (S$204 million) package to help the country defend itself against Russia in their ongoing war. Australia, one of the largest non-Nato contributors to Ukraine, has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment since Moscow invaded its neighbour in February 2022. Ukraine has taken possession of most of the 49 tanks given by Australia, and the rest will be delivered in coming months, said Defence Minister Richard Marles. "The M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion," Marles said in a statement. The tanks formed part of the A$1.5 billion that Canberra has provided Ukraine in the conflict, the government said. Australia has also banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities. [[nid:720163]] Australia's centre-left Labor government this year labelled Russia as the aggressor in the conflict and called for the war to be resolved on Kyiv's terms.