The Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary to meet Australian counterparts for key discussions

David Cameron is set to emphasise the UK’s long-standing relationship with Australia as he embarks on his first visit to the country as Foreign Secretary. Accompanied by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, Cameron will attend the annual Australia-UK ministerial meetings (Aukmin) to strengthen ties and enhance cooperation with one of the UK’s closest allies in the Indo-Pacific.

The pair will meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Defence Minister Richard Marles in Canberra and Adelaide. Their discussions will focus on trade relations and reviewing the Aukus defence partnership with the United States, which aims to counter Chinese aggression by providing Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines.

The Aukus deal, announced in 2021, has faced challenges, including proposed budget cuts for the number of submarines to be built in the US and disputes over the location of a new submarine base in Australia, with environmental and union groups raising concerns.

In addition to reinforcing the importance of the Aukus alliance, Cameron will advocate for the ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which the UK joined last year. He will also meet Australian investors to promote the UK’s energy transition and sign a memorandum of understanding on tackling gender-based violence in the Pacific.

Ahead of the visit, Cameron remarked, “The UK and Australia have strong and enduring bonds which have never been more important than they are today. Our relationship is a point of stability in a fast-changing, dangerous and uncertain world. Those ties, that understanding of one another, allow us to work closely on our joint priorities and face up to global challenges.”

Both Cameron and Shapps are expected to address security issues with their Australian counterparts, discussing ongoing support for Ukraine and advocating for an “immediate humanitarian pause” in Gaza. Shapps will also meet with defence companies to explore increased government and industry collaboration, and will lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial.
The visit is part of Cameron’s broader trip to the Indo-Pacific, which includes meetings with the Thai prime minister, as the UK looks to strengthen its position in this increasingly important region.
Shapps added, “The UK and Australia fought side-by-side 80 years ago against tyranny on the beaches of Normandy. Today, our two great nations continue to stand together to secure peace and prosperity the world over. We’re facing the challenges of a more dangerous world together, and through partnerships like Aukus and our continued support to Ukraine, we’re defending our freedoms and shared values.”