Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. The coalition is the proud architect of AUKUS, a landmark national security agreement that will make Australia safer, stronger and more secure. The coalition cabinet I served in delivered AUKUS because we understand the US is our most important ally. Two hundred and sixty-one days ago, the American people elected a new president. In that time, more than 30 world leaders have met with the US president. Why has the Australian Prime Minister failed to meet with the US president?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for the question. Last time I looked—just to have a bit of a fact check—AUKUS wasn't actually delivered during the former government. The concept, to give credit where credit's due, did come from the Morrison government, but the AUKUS agreement was signed by me, President Biden and Prime Minister Sunak in San Diego. That is just a fact. The US President was elected and took office in January. Since then, we have had three conversations. I also make the point that there is no country—including the announcement today of an arrangement with Japan and the United States in which the previous tariff level of 25 per cent across the board was reduced to 15 per cent, which is still higher than the tariff rate of 10 per cent which Australia has. And Australia has a tariff rate lower than or equal to every other country on Earth. Australia used to, on a bipartisan basis, support free and fair trade—both sides. I find it extraordinary that the coalition seem to have made a decision that a decision by the US administration, contrary to our free trade agreement with the United States, to apply an across-the-board tariff on Australian exports into the United States has brought with it not a criticism of the issue of the imposition of tariffs but another criticism. Rather than choosing to support Australia, it has chosen the opposite.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Fisher, I just asked the House to come to order, and I'm about to call the next questioner. Trust me, this is not the time to interject.