Opposition Demands Answers on Pentagon AUKUS Review, Questions Government's Defense Commitment

Shadow Defence Minister Angus Taylor Thursday demanded the Albanese government answer "very serious questions" about a Pentagon review of the AUKUS submarine agreement, questioning whether Australia's defense spending levels or recent Israeli sanctions decisions triggered the 30-day assessment.

Taylor told reporters in Canberra the Coalition maintains bipartisan support for AUKUS but warned that backing "will not be a shield for inaction" as he pressed Defence Minister Richard Marles to explain the government's prior knowledge of the review.

"This US review came out of the blue," Taylor said during a press conference. "And there are very serious questions that the government and the defence minister needs to answer about it."

The opposition defense spokesman outlined seven specific questions for the government, including when officials became aware of the review and whether Labor's failure to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP contributed to American concerns about the trilateral submarine partnership.

Spending Levels Under Scrutiny

Taylor emphasized the Coalition's election commitment to raise defense spending to 3% of GDP, contrasting it with current levels as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly called for Australia to reach 3.5% of GDP.

"We need to know to what extent was the review triggered by Labor's failure to fund defence in this country to the level that the US and other partners think is appropriate," Taylor said.

The shadow minister warned that inadequate funding risks creating what he described as "a paper ADF," referencing expert analysis suggesting AUKUS could cannibalize other essential defense capabilities like sustainment if not properly resourced.

"We were clear at the last election that 3% of GDP is necessary to ensure that we don't end up with what ASPI has described as a paper ADF," Taylor said.

When pressed about whether Australia should increase defense spending if AUKUS faces changes, Taylor reaffirmed the Coalition's position.

"We took to the last election a commitment to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP. I think that's necessary. We think that's necessary," he said.

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