14th Australia – United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will today travel to the United Kingdom to attend the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN).

Australia and the United Kingdom’s partnership is underpinned by our shared history, values and interests.

We are transforming our relationship to advance these interests which include the security and prosperity of our nations, our support for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, and a world where all countries adhere to international rules and norms.

It will mark the first AUKMIN following the election of the Starmer Government, after Australia hosted AUKMIN in Adelaide earlier this year. This recognises the value and relevance of our partnership amid sharpening strategic competition.

The meeting with the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the Rt Hon David Lammy MP, and Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey MP, will further deepen cooperation and alignment on key foreign, defence and security policy issues.

During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister will also visit His Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport, the largest of its kind in Western Europe and where the UK undertakes operational, training and maintenance activities for its naval fleet, including deep level submarine maintenance.

Following the visit to the UK, the Foreign Minister will travel to Strasbourg and Brussels for meetings with the European Union and NATO.

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles:

"I welcome the opportunity to work with United Kingdom counterparts to address shared strategic challenges and enhance our deep and enduring partnership.

"In an increasingly complex strategic environment, it is critical we collaborate with partners as old and close as the United Kingdom.

"Together we will continue to advance and strengthen our defence relationship, including through discussions on the updated agreement on defence and security cooperation, signed in Canberra earlier this year."

Quotes attributable to Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong:

“The Albanese Government is focused on building Australia’s future in a world that is increasingly unstable and uncertain.

"Australia is partnering with other countries to build that future, and uphold the rules that underpin our peace and prosperity.

"Our partnership with the United Kingdom is a cornerstone of this effort. Together, we are enhancing our strategic, security and foreign policy cooperation to advance our shared interests."