Overview

• U.S. defense officials first described Richard Marles’ photo with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a “happenstance encounter” before the Pentagon’s chief spokesman said a meeting had occurred and was coordinated in advance.
• Marles’ office used cautious language in its readout, saying he was pleased to see Hegseth after a scheduled session with Vice President JD Vance, and it cancelled a planned press conference before returning to Australia.
• Reporting cited unnamed sources who said the exchange with Hegseth was brief, around 10 minutes, with no detailed outcomes disclosed.
• The visit took place during a U.S. review of the AUKUS submarine plan, with Washington pressing Australia on higher defense spending and operational commitments.
• Australian political reactions were sharp, with the Greens and some Coalition figures labeling the initial U.S. characterization as contemptuous, while others noted Marles did meet senior officials including Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.