Television Interview, Sky News First Edition

SUBJECTS: Biggest Defence export deal in history; Keir Starmer.

JAYNIE SEAL, HOST: Joining us live is Defence Minister Richard Marles. Minister, thank you so much for joining us. The UK is now going to appoint its seventh Prime Minister in 10 years. What is your reaction to Keir Starmer's resignation?

RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Well, Jaynie, I think it's obviously very difficult to watch. It's sad to see someone go through this, and it's another example of how difficult public life is. I think what we should be reflecting on at the moment is that Keir Starmer has been a great friend to Australia. We very much appreciated his partnership, his partnership in projects like AUKUS, which has proceeded really well under his Prime Ministership. I mean, obviously, this is a matter for the UK, and no doubt they will work through their processes to establish a new Prime Minister. But, you know, on this day, I think we're all feeling for Keir Starmer and watching from the distance that we are and thanking him for the time that he has had in leading his country and in stewarding the Australia-UK relationship.

SEAL: And it looks like the new leader could be Andy Burnham. Of course, we don't know that yet, but he won the Makerfield by-election. So, Minister, how do you think a new leader in this change could potentially impact the relationship between Australia and the UK?

MARLES: Well, we'll obviously work with whoever is ultimately chosen, but we have an enormous sense of confidence about our relationship with the UK. I was literally in the UK the week before last with our Foreign Minister, and the relationship is in good stead. We are working more closely with the UK than we ever have before. I mean, it's our oldest relationship, and the people-to-people relations have always been strong, but what there really is today is a very significant strategic dimension to that relationship. AUKUS, of course, is essential to that, and that is proceeding at a pace. So, we're confident that whoever is ultimately chosen to lead the UK government, that the relationship between Australia and the UK will remain in good stead.

SEAL: We just heard from US President Donald Trump, and he spoke on the resignation of Keir Starmer. He said that he messed up a couple of things, including immigration and energy, where he spoke about windmills, the North Sea oil, and the fact that they won't let anyone drill. Do you echo those sentiments?

MARLES: Look, I wouldn't go down any of those paths. I mean, we are focused on our relationship with the UK, where we're working together — that's on issues like national security and defence. And that partnership is really strong with the UK, and that's where our focus is. And in that sense, Keir Starmer has been a really good friend to Australia, and obviously I think he goes with the best of will from Australians. And again, you know, you look at what played out yesterday evening — it's difficult to watch. Doing these jobs are really hard, and I think that's, at a human level, how we're feeling today. But, you know, we look forward to whoever will be the new leader, the new Prime Minister of the UK, and we're very optimistic about where the relationship goes.

SEAL: And, Minister, what's your reaction to the Prime Minister who, on Sunday Agenda, said that another change of leadership in Britain would not be a good idea? And he said, quote, I must say that the history of changing leaders is not a positive one.

MARLES: Well, I think what I'd say is that I'm very grateful for the stability that we have in Australia. Anthony Albanese has led our party for a number of years now with complete stability. And that is something that, you know, we don't take for granted but is a reflection of the fundamental decency with which Anthony Albanese leads. And it is a moment where I'm enormously grateful for that.

SEAL: And yesterday, your government announced Australia is signing its largest ever defence agreement with Canada. Talk us through it.

MARLES: Well, this is a two and a half billion dollar deal. It is the biggest defence export in Australia's history. It surpasses the previous largest defence export, which is the 2024 boxer deal that we did with Germany. So, it's the, the two largest defence exports ever have happened under the Albanese government because we're really focused on defence exports. It's great that we will be partnering with Canada on this really critical platform, which is the highest-tech, the best long-range radar in the world. It's been a part of really the cornerstone of our long-range northern surveillance for decades now, going back to the 1980s. And like Australia, Canada has vast areas that it needs to surveil. But what this will do is support a thousand direct and indirect jobs in Australia. And that's why defence exports are so critical. They support Australian industry, they support Australian jobs, and in the process they build much stronger national security partnerships with our friends and partners. And that's certainly what this will do with Canada.

SEAL: And so, where will the money go and over what time frame?

MARLES: Well, it literally starts now in terms of Canada putting in place this — it's a five-year build to see the first stage of this put in place. We do this in combination with BAE Systems Australia. They're the company that has built the over-the-horizon radar in Australia, and will be doing this work with Canada. But the jobs that are here in Australia are really being supported as we speak. And I think what is really important to understand here is, on this very complex and significant platform moving forward now, Canada and Australia will be partners. So, Canada is very much benefiting from the significant investment we've put in this platform over decades. But likewise, going forward, we will now be the beneficiary of the hundreds of millions of dollars on R and D spend that Canada will make to see this technology further develop as we move forward together.

SEAL: Certainly is a major announcement. Defence Minister Richard Marles, thank you so much for joining us.

MARLES: Thanks, Jaynie.

END