Shadow Defense Minister Angus Taylor has called on the government to make “principle commitments to the safety of Taiwan” in the midst of pressure from the United States.
“What I say we have to connect is a joint dedication to the safety of Taiwan,” Mr. Taylor told 7.30.
“Peace due to deterrence is incredibly important … That means that you are willing to act under certain circumstances.”
The Financial Times reported on Saturday that senior US Defense Official Elbridge Colby – which leads the assessment of the Trump board of the Aukus -Pact – pressed Australia and Japan to say what role they would play if the US and China battle Taiwan.
Mr. Taylor said it was not possible to “codify how a conflict could unfold”, but “you can make those principle obligations as part of an alliance”.
“That means working very closely in the Taiwan street on the safety of Taiwan … and that obligation must support what we do in Aukus.”
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The calls come during the journey of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to China, where he is organized by President Xi Jinping.
Mr. Albanese said that he was not asked by his Chinese counterpart about the increased pressure from the United States above Taiwan, but said he had repeated the Australian position.
“On Taiwan I confirmed the position of Australia of support for the status quo,” he said after the meeting.
Speaking with the ABC on Sunday, acting Minister of Defense Pat Conroy said that he would not “do hypothetical substances” or “make confidential discussions public”.
“The only power to bind Australia to war or to have our territory used for a conflict is the chosen government of the day,” he said.
“That is our position. Sovereignty will always be priority, and that will remain our position.”
Press to increase defense expenditure
Angus Taylor says Australia must increase defense expenditure to 3 percent of GDP, as the US has requested. ((ABC News: Matt Roberts))
Mr. Colby’s assessment in the Aukus -Pact would be completed within 30 days of the beginning of June, although Mr. Conroy said he was advised that it had been expanded.
Last month, NATO unanimously agreed to cancel the defense expenditure of their country by 2035 to 5 percent of GDP, after pressure from US President Donald Trump.
The US Defense Minister Peter Hegseeth has told Australia to increase defense expenditure to 3.5 percent of GDP, although the government has opposed the call and is planning to increase expenses to 2.3 percent.
Mr. Taylor again urged the government to pay attention to Defense expenditure on the American call and to increase her commitments on Taiwan’s safety.
“These are the obligations that must be entered into,” he said.
“They are not made as far as we can see. If they are made, it is very quiet behind closed doors.”
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