Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will travel to Washington DC for the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) on 8 December.
They will meet with their counterparts US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
AUSMIN 2025 will mark 40 years of Australia-United States Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister consultations, demonstrating the strength of the Alliance and the importance of our continued cooperation in our region.
Following AUSMIN the Deputy Prime Minister will join Secretary Hegseth and the UK Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey, for an AUKUS Defence Ministers’ meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles:
“Australia’s Alliance with the United States is fundamental to our national security, built on our shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
“AUSMIN is an invaluable forum to set the strategic direction for the Alliance, including on defence and security.”
“I look forward to advancing our strong defence partnership, including through AUKUS and our long-standing US Force Posture Initiatives in Australia.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong:
“The United States is Australia’s principal ally and strategic partner.
“For four decades, AUSMIN has enabled foreign and defence consultations during periods of great strategic change and challenge. Together, we are working to shape the Indo-Pacific for the better.
“AUSMIN 2025 is an opportunity to advance priorities that deliver for Australia, the United States and our region.”