Anthony Albanese ‘very confident’ AUKUS pact serves all three nations after Pentagon review

Anthony Albanese has thrown his weight behind AUKUS after the Pentagon announced a review, saying he’s “very confident” the pact serves all three nations in a increasingly tense global climate.

It is the first time the Prime Minister has addressed the issue since news broke that the Trump Administration was examining whether the pact aligns with US interests under their “America First” agenda.

“It will play an important role in peace, security and stability around the world at a time when that is absolutely necessary,” the PM said on Friday after landing in Fiji enroute to the G7 summit in Canada.

He echoed remarks by his Defence Minister Richard Marles on Thursday that the US launching a review was a “natural” step for an incoming government.

“The United States as an incoming government is having a review just like the Australian government did with our Defence Strategic Review, and just like the government of Keir Starmer in the United Kingdom had as well,” Mr Albanese said.

“We’re very confident though that all, because he’s in the interests of all three of our nations.”

Mr Albanese declined to say whether he would accelerate Australia’s defence spending commitments in response to US calls for allies to lift their budgets.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had conveyed to Mr Marles at a recent Singapore forum that Australia should hike its defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, far beyond the projected 2.3 per cent by 2033.

The review, driven by AUKUS-sceptic Elbridge Colby, has stoked fear America might abandon the 2021-formed tripartite deal with the UK and the US.

Under the deal Australia plans to build five SSN-AUKUS submarines and buy between three and five Virginia Class nuclear-powered subs from the US.

A collapse of the pact could be a major blow for Western Australia, which has been earmarked as the future home of AUKUS nuclear powered submarines in Henderson.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley urged the PM not to be a “bystander” in the Australia-US relationship and do everything possible to secure a G7-sideline meeting with Donald Trump.

“We support AUKUS, we (the Coalition) put it in place but we are concerned about this review by the Pentagon,” she said on Friday.

“It adds to a growing list of issues within the US-Australia relationship. It’s important that Anthony Albanese not be a bystander in this relationship.”

“We do have a good case to make about the mutual benefits.”

Ten crossbenchers —including teal Allegra Spender, Senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock— on Friday penned an open letter to Defence Minister Marles calling for a Parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.

“People across our communities are increasingly concerned about the AUKUS agreement,” they stated.

“Despite these concerns, there has been limited opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny of AUKUS to date. Indeed, both of Australia’s AUKUS partners are conducting similar inquiries.

“We therefore think it is important and timely for parliament to conduct a full and formal inquiry.”

WA teal MP Kate Chaney — whose Curtin electorate is north of the Henderson facility — was among a group of 10 crossbenchers.

“Australians want to understand whether this is the best use of our resources and the right path for our security,” Ms Chaney said.

“AUKUS is a monumental strategic commitment with far-reaching implications for our economy, sovereignty, and security posture. Yet, it continues to unfold with minimal public transparency and virtually no parliamentary accountability.”

The MPs and Senators suggested the inquiry could be hosted through a Joint Select Committee and examine the feasibility, timeline, progress, strategic rationale, and opportunity costs among other elements.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief executive Peter Cock said the deal was a massive boon for WA industry and expected that the Federal Government would “engage proactively” to ensure the pact was secure.

“We expect the state and federal governments will continue to engage proactively with the Trump administration throughout the review process to ensure WA and Australia’s best interests are represented,” he said.

“CCIWA remains confident that defence industry including the AUKUS elements will deliver significant economic benefits to the Western Australian economy, regardless of the review to be conducted by the Trump administration.”