Peter Stefanovic, Host : As we've been reporting this morning, the US has cast a huge shadow over Prime Minister Albanese's tour of China by wanting to know if we plan to use the subs that we purchase from the US to help the US in any fight against China if it makes a move on Taiwan. Seems a reasonable request. But joining us live this morning is our Monday morning panel, the Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite and the Liberal Senator Maria Kovacic in Darwin today and then Matt in Canberra. Good to see you both. So, we'll start with you, Matt. So, would we help the US if China were to make a move on Taiwan?
Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade: Well, decisions such as that are made by the Australian Government. We act in our national interests. We're a sovereign nation and we make our own decisions. And obviously we want to see maintenance of the status quo. We want to see a peaceful, stable region which benefits all. So, our modus operandi is to try and maintain the status quo.
Stefanovic: Do you think it is a peaceful, stable region?
Assistant Minister: Well, we're trying to make sure that it maintains peace and stability. That's the whole purpose of the way that the government operates in international relations. This week you've had the Foreign Minister at an ASEAN conference where that message was reinforced. The Prime Minister reinforced the message yesterday in China. Ensuring peace and stability in our region is not only fundamental to the security and safety of Australians, it's important for our economy and jobs in our nation as well. So, the Prime Minister will act to ensure peace and stability in the status quo.
Stefanovic: I guess it's back to that same question, Maria, for you now. If China makes a move on Taiwan and the US asks us for help, would we have to provide it?
Maria Kovacic, Liberal Senator for NSW: Thanks, Pete. We're advocates for stability and the status quo in the region and we want that to be a peaceful preservation of what we currently see. There are two things that are really important here. The Prime Minister's trip does matter. It is important that we actually make these people to people ties with China stronger, that we have a good friendship with them, they are our neighbour, that we have good trade. But it's also really important to note that that doesn't come at the expense of our safety and our national security. So, the Prime Minister has to have a very clear and very frank conversation while he's over there in relation to this as well.
Stefanovic: I guess the point is though, that if China were to be the one to make the move, would we then have to help the US? And I know Elbridge Colby, he's gotten involved in this, he says well, and I'll go back to you on this one, Matt. He says if we sell the subs, then we would have to help the US with those subs. I mean, do you think that's a reasonable request, or do you think it just doesn't matter because if China makes a move on Taiwan, it would be before we get the subs anyway?
Assistant Minister: Well, the whole purpose of AUKUS is for Australia to increase its military capabilities in partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom. But the purpose of AUKUS is deterrence and deterrence to ensure peace and stability and the status quo within the region. And that's the basis upon which Australia operates, maintaining the status quo and peace and stability within our region…
Stefanovic: [interjecting] So, is the US out of line with this request, though?
Assistant Minister: It's about ensuring that we're working with our partners to maintain peace and stability…
Stefanovic: [interjecting] Yeah, but the question is about the US.
Assistant Minister: The United States alliance with Australia is very, very important. And at the moment, Talisman Sabre kicked off this week, where the United States has one of its largest contingents ever working with Australia and 18 other nations that are part of Talisman Sabre, all maintaining good cooperative relations between the nations involved with the aim of ensuring peace and stability within the region…
Stefanovic: [interjecting] Ok, but, I mean, that's all well and good to say, but what if that doesn't happen, you know, realistically, if there is a move on Taiwan, which, which most, most experts believe there will be in a matter of years, would we then help out the US? Which is, which is the question that they are asking us.
Assistant Minister: Well, again, I go back to the point I reiterated earlier, Pete, that decisions such as that are made by the Australian Government based on our sovereign interests. We're a sovereign nation, and the government of the day makes those decisions on behalf of Australians, and that won't change.
Stefanovic: Ok, well, I mean, Elbridge Colby's position, I mean, again, on AUKUS, they're entitled to, to look at the amount of money that's involved in AUKUS. Maria, have you got a problem at all with his request about subs?
Kovacic: You know, that's a matter for the US Administration. But I'll go to an important point that I've made before. And the Prime Minister last week talked about team Australia. Well, it's time for the Prime Minister to step up for team Australia and actually have the necessary conversations with President Trump and the US administration to actually ensure that AUKUS is safe, that we can actually rely on that moving forward, and to also have the requisite conversations in relation to protecting us from tariffs. None of these things have occurred in a meaningful way. And that's created a lot of these concerns and confusions that are out there. It's very clear that the US is our friend. They're one of our best friends over time. They're a strategic ally. But at the moment, the conversations that our government should be having with the US Government are not occurring. And that needs to change.
Stefanovic: All right. We'll leave it there. Matt and Maria, appreciate it. We'll talk to you next week.