Overview

• The Geelong Treaty commits the UK and Australia to joint design, construction, operation, sustainment and disposal of SSN-AUKUS submarines over the next 50 years
• Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby’s office announced the AUKUS review will now conclude in the northern hemisphere autumn
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the extension was expected and denied Washington was using the review as leverage in defence spending talks
• Australia has pledged A$368 billion over three decades to the AUKUS programme and has made its second A$800 million payment amid concerns over US shipyard capacity
• A recent Essential Research survey found 60% of Australians believe it is unlikely they will ever receive nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS