Radio Interview, ABC RN, Breakfast

SUBJECT/S: PM’s Address to the UN General Assembly

SALLY SARA, HOST: Richard Marles is the Minister for Defence and the Acting Prime Minister. He joined me a short time ago. Welcome back to Radio National Breakfast.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, RICHARD MARLES: Good morning, Sally, how are you? 

SARA: Very well, thank you. Yesterday on breakfast, we heard from US Congressman Joe Courtney, who said that the review into AUKUS, which is being undertaken in the US is expected to be finalised next month. Is that timing linked to Mr. Albanese's planned meeting with the US president in October?

MARLES: Well, look, it's not for me to obviously talk about the timing of an American review, but I'm absolutely certain it's got has no link with when the Prime Minister will be meeting the President. Actually, the US have been really good in talking us through the process of this review, the timing of it. So, we are aware of when the timing is going to happen in relation to this and how we can contribute, and we are.

SARA: So, you've been given a date on when you're expecting it?

MARLES: I mean, we've given a timeframe and they've been very transparent with us about the process of the review and we've been engaging with it.

SARA: Have you had any messaging from the United States, even during the UN General assembly, on the sidelines that things are progressing well with the review? What kind of signalling are you getting?

MARLES: Well, I mean, we are working very closely with the United States in relation to the progress of AUKUS in terms of where AUKUS is going. So, I mean, AUKUS is happening at a pace we've always welcomed and understood. This review is about how AUKUS can be done better and we look forward to the outcomes of the review because we want to do this in the best possible way. And as I've said repeatedly, this is a pretty natural step for an incoming government to take; we took it, the current UK government did the same thing. What matters is that, you know, aside from the review, in terms of the actual progress of AUKUS itself, it is happening at a pace and it is happening on time and it is happening well.

SARA: Earlier this month you announced a $12 billion investment into expanding naval facilities in Western Australia. Are you now clear on how that facility might be used by the US military?

MARLES: Well, this is firstly a sovereign capability for Australia. I mean, the Henderson Defence Precinct will be about the maintenance and sustainment of Australia's future submarines as it will also be about continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. And that begins with an army landing craft, but ultimately that'll be the general purpose frigate that we are doing with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries when that build is transferred to Australia. What we have made clear is that, you know, this is an AUKUS facility. So, the, the maintenance and sustainment of American submarines is clearly a matter for America. But we do expect that this will be a facility that will be open to the US. In regard to that. 

SARA: What do you mean? 

MARLES: Well, I mean if, if America chooses to do maintenance within this facility, obviously it's going to be subject to the needs of Australia's own maintenance. But if America chooses to do maintenance within this facility, then we would expect that would happen.

SARA: What did Australia gain from this week of diplomacy and events in New York?

MARLES: Look, the Leaders Week at the UN General assembly is a really important week. It's been fantastic to have the Prime Minister there. We've been able to showcase what Australia has been doing in relation to its social media regulation in respect of children 16 and under. Obviously there was a very historic decision to recognise Palestine and we participated in that event on Monday that was co hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. In the Prime Minister's formal speech to the General assembly as part of Leaders Week, he spoke about our bid to join the UN Security Council. So, I mean, this was a real opportunity to speak to the world. Most world leaders are actually there in New York for this occasion and to talk to them about Australia's priorities and what we're doing on the international stage, and it's been a very important week.

SARA: US President Donald Trump used his speech to call climate change a con job, a scam and a hoax and said other countries are going to hell over their handling of immigration, accused nations which are recognising Palestinian statehood of rewarding terrorists. Does the US worldview align with Australia's worldview?

MARLES: Well, I mean, ultimately the President's speech is a matter for the President. You know, what we speak to is what our priorities have been and they're articulated in the Prime Minister's speech. Now, you know, we recognised the Palestinian state last Sunday in the lead up to Monday's event in the UN. In terms of climate change, we've made clear our, our targets through to 2035 of 62-70 per cent. And we spoke about our action on climate change- or the Prime Minister spoke about that in his formal address to the UN as well. I mean, this was an opportunity for us to talk about Australia' priorities, where Australia sits on these critical issues and that's there for all to see.

SARA: You're listening to Radio National Breakfast and you're hearing from the Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles. Are issues like climate and Palestinian statehood with such deep divisions between the US and Australia on those issues, are they going to get in the way of Australia getting the best deal on trade and security arrangements?

MARLES: Look, I don't believe so. I mean, I engage with the United States a lot, as you would expect. And these aren't the issues that we're talking about because we've got a broad set of engagements in relation to what we do together in respect of our security, our defence to defence relationship, and also the opportunities that exist in terms of economic cooperation. I mean, countries will have different views about critical issues that are happening in the world, but that doesn't prevent them from cooperating where there is mutual opportunity to do that. And that's very much the case with the US. And in terms of our security, the alliance which is, you know, a mutual security obligation between our two countries, has been in place since 1951. That continues and it remains foundational in terms of Australia's worldview. And I think it is as important today as it's ever been and it's as solid today as it's ever been.

SARA: Last week, the UN’s Commission of Inquiry found that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Human rights lawyer and Commissioner Chris Sidoti has urged Australia to investigate citizens returning from serving in the Israeli military for possible war crimes. Is the government considering this or seeking further advice?

MARLES: Well, in terms of questions in respect of genocide, this is a matter before the International Court right now and we will leave any determinations to that entity in terms of the investigations that it's undertaking. Look, you know, we have made very clear our deep concerns around the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to see aid and humanitarian assistance flow into Gaza and the need for Israel to facilitate that. And that all, of course, is in a context of seeing a ceasefire in Gaza and, of course, a return of the hostages. Now, that's, that's where our position is at and we're focused on that and at some point, you know, the International Court is looking at the question of genocide, they'll make their decision.

SARA: Richard Marles, thank you so much for your time.

MARLES: Thanks, Sally.

ENDS