Television Interview, Today Show

SUBJECTS: G7; Australia-United States Relationship; Middle East Conflict. 

SARAH ABO, HOST: Well, it had been a long time coming, but US President Donald Trump has sensationally cancelled his meeting with Anthony Albanese, leaving the Prime Minister hanging on AUKUS and trade. Joining us now in the studio is Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles. Good to see you, Richard.

RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Hi, Sarah.

ABO: This is an almighty snub.

MARLES: It's not. The President's gone back to Washington to obviously deal with what's playing out in the Middle East. There were a range of meetings that he was going to do with other leaders on that day. I think we all understand that the American President's attention does get occupied by what's happening in the world and obviously a very significant event is playing out in the Middle East.

ABO: He went back to Washington, though not before he had his group photo and his group dinner. So, are these the actions of a friend? We still haven't had a face to face with the PM and the President.

MARLES: Look, from the moment that the President's been inaugurated, there have been several phone calls between the Prime Minister and the President. The rapport is good. There's been a whole lot of meetings between Australia and America at various levels. I've met my counterpart a couple of times. Officials are talking to them constantly. And so the relationship is in a good place. I mean, we've obviously had our own election, which takes up a lot of time in terms of being able to engage in those meetings- 

ABO: Of course. You may not have seen the comments earlier, but the President himself, out of his own mouth, said that he doesn't believe in phones and telephones and phone calls. So, in terms of that, as the only correspondence we've had with him, it reflects pretty poorly. And it makes you wonder how much he actually values Australia. We sit here very proud Australians. How much does Donald Trump actually value our relationship and us as a strategic partner and us as an ally?

MARLES: Look, I think he does value us. I mean–

ABO: Doesn't look like it.

MARLES: Well, I think a lot's being read into the United States President going back to D.C. because there is a world event playing out and there are a rang of meetings that he didn't proceed with in Canada as a result of that. It wasn't just the meeting with our Prime Minister. And I think we all understand that the American President's attention is going to be occupied by events of this kind. I don't think it's anything more than that. He's consistently expressed his support for the relationship with Australia. Actually, I think if you take a step back and look at the Australian‑American relationship right now, it's in really good order under this administration, as of course it has always been under various administrations in America and Prime Ministerships in Australia, and we move forward.

ABO: I mean, I think people would question that, though. I mean, obviously the President made time to meet with Keir Starmer, his UK ally, and they've signed off on tariffs. So, where does this now leave us with AUKUS, which is significant, and with trade and with tariffs? When will Albanese sit down with Trump?

MARLES: Well, I'm sure there'll be a meeting between our two leaders-

ABO: But you don't know when?

MARLES: Well, we don't know the day, but I'm sure there'll be a meeting between our two leaders in the not too distant future. But, you know, on all of those issues we continue to engage with the United States on them. And AUKUS is moving forward. Yes, the United States is having a review, just as the UK did when their new government came into power, just as we did when we came into office back in 2022. It's a perfectly natural step to take. And we continue to make our case in relation to tariffs. And across the board, our tariffs are at the lowest level that America is applying to countries around the world. So, all of it, if you take a step back and look at it objectively, we are in a good place with the United States and we continue to work with them.

ABO: Okay, on Iran, it’s obviously the reason Donald Trump left the G7 early, where does the Australian government sit on this conflict? I mean, there'll be very few who have any sympathy for the current Iranian regime, obviously, and the oppressive nature of the punitive measures that they take with their own citizens. So, what we're seeing now isn't necessarily that heartbreaking, but what is, is the devastating death toll. About half of them are civilians so far. Where does this end? I mean, are we likely to see nuclear war as Netanyahu has foreshadowed?

MARLES: Well, I certainly don't think it serves to speculate about those things. We are concerned about the prospect of escalation here. That's why we've been calling for diplomacy and dialogue. We want to see steps which de‑escalate. Now, to be clear, we understand absolutely Israel's right to defend itself, and we also really appreciate the risk that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program represents to peace and stability within the Middle East but in fact, within the world. So, we understand all of that. But we are worried about the prospect for escalation and that's why we are using our voice internationally along with many other countries to call for a de‑escalation.

ABO: Realistically, our voice is so small in comparison, right? I mean, the US right now– Donald Trump and his security council discussing this. Are you worried that they might actually launch military attacks?

MARLES: Well, I'm again, not about to speculate on the US nor am I a spokesperson for them. Our voice we exercise– it is an important voice, but we're exercising it with lots of other countries around the world, which is calling for a de‑escalation.

ABO: Just very quickly, the Australians who are stuck in Iran and Israel. What's Australia doing to try and help them?

MARLES: Well we are preparing to provide for assisted departures as soon as airspace opens up. Right now, airspace across Iran and Israel is closed. But as soon as that is open, we've got preparations in place to provide for assisted departures.

ABO: We're out of time. Richard Marles, thanks so much for coming in.

MARLES: Thanks, Sarah.

ENDS