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Questions are being asked over what role Australia would play if the US made a request for Australia to join a “hypothetical” conflict with China over Taiwan. Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth, speaking on Sunrise this morning, says when it comes to the question of Taiwan, the government “supports the status quo”.
“I think what’s in Australia’s interests and the public’s interest is for us to have peace and security in our region,” the Labor MP said.
Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“Of course, part of that is making sure Australia has the capability to respond to any unrest or conflict in our region. But importantly, that we invest in our relationships in the region.
“When it comes to Taiwan, we support the status quo. That’s very important. But I don’t think it’s in anyone’s interests to deal with hypotheticals that haven’t happened.”
The comments follow reports Washington is seeking guarantees from Australia about how it would respond in the event of a conflict in the Indo-Pacific at a time when the AUKUS submarine deal is under review by the Trump administration.
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said: “When you support the status quo … you just have to say how you would back that up.”
“If you say ‘we’re going to do nothing’, then the United States will say ‘I’m not really interested in your AUKUS agreement then’,” Joyce said.
“If we don’t have an AUKUS agreement, probably the most fundamental plank of our defence arrangement falls over.”
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