Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Shoebridge for the question. This is, of course, a key difference between our party and the Greens political party. It's been explored on many occasions, Senator Shoebridge. Fundamentally, your position, as I understand it and as has been articulated by you and many of your colleagues over time, is that you do not support the US alliance. That is not true for the Australian Labor Party. We consider that the relationship with the United States is of great significance to our national security. It's a relationship that is long, deep and multidimensional.

We were pleased the Prime Minister was able to meet constructively with the United States administration, with President Trump. We are pleased that we are able to come to an agreement with our ally the United States about the development of critical minerals resources, understanding the significance of that supply chain for our security and for our economic interests. We do think that the acquisition of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines is important for our national security for a range of reasons, which we have explored many times in the estimates hearings. So we will continue, on every occasion, to contemplate the national interest in this relationship and in all of the international work that is undertaken by the Prime Minister and by the ministers who are sworn to the foreign affairs portfolio. It's a focus for our government, ensuring that we engage constructively and sensibly in the world, in accordance with our national interest.