Press Conference – Parliament House, Canberra

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JOURNALIST: On AUKUS, China has said overnight that they’re greatly concerned about potentially bringing Japan into AUKUS. How do you straddle rebuilding ties with China in this era and expanding AUKUS?

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, that’s not what is proposed. What’s proposed is to look at pillar two of AUKUS, and look at, project by project, whether there would be engagement, and Japan is a natural candidate for that to occur. We’ve already stepped up our defence relationship with Japan in agreements that I’ve signed with Prime Minister Kishida, including access by Japan for Australian bases and Australia to have access in Japan as well. We have had recently joint naval operations with Japan, including here in Australia. But when we look at pillar two, that project by project approach is there. What is not proposed is to expand the membership of AUKUS.

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JOURNALIST: Prime Minister – which other countries would you like to see contribute to pillar two?

PRIME MINISTER: Look, we are focused on the relationship with our AUKUS partnership. To be very clear, AUKUS, there is no plan to expand AUKUS beyond the three countries. When it comes to pillar two, what we’ll look at is, project by project, the desirability of further engagement. Japan has a very sophisticated – not just Defence Force – but is known for its technological invention, advancement. One of the things that pillar two is looking at is just that. That’s what it’s about, how we use new technology and cooperation. And if there can be gains that are in the interests of the three AUKUS partners, but in addition, any partners outside the direct AUKUS relationship, then that will be considered.

RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER & MINISTER FOR DEFENCE: Look, I think it’s important to understand what AUKUS is not. I mean, AUKUS is not a security alliance. That’s not what it is. AUKUS is a technology sharing agreement. AUKUS pillar one is obviously the United States and the UK sharing nuclear powered submarine technology with Australia, but AUKUS pillar two is about the three countries working on other advanced technologies. As the Prime Minister has said, Japan has a very advanced technological industrial base. It does a lot of incredible work in defence industry as well. And so, we’ve said for quite some time, that it would be natural for us to, on a project by project basis, look at working with other friends in respect of particular technologies. And that is all that has been said. This is not an expansion of AUKUS. This is just about looking at the possibility of working with other countries.

JOURNALIST: Thank you, Prime Minister. Just on Israel, the Israeli Defence Board…

PRIME MINISTER: We’re just coming on this today. We’re happy to take questions about other things, but we’ll just deal with this while the Vice-Admiral is here. Okay, thank you.

JOURNALIST: But look, first of all, China, what sort of challenge or threat, as opposed to Australia? And secondly, do you support stripping awards and decorations from soldiers involved in war crimes investigation?

VICE-ADMIRAL DAVID JOHNSTON, VICE CHIEF OF THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE: I think the Government’s view on our international security will become clear when the National Defence Strategy announcements are made. I will leave that for that opportunity. And I’ll also leave the second question. Thanks.

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Source: Office of the Australian Prime Minister

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