AUKUS review focus on fixing subs ‘could favour Australia'
Richard Spencer, who was secretary of the US Navy during President Donald Trump's first term, said a better maintenance network would help alleviate Pentagon concerns about building enough nuclear-powered submarines to meet domestic demand before delivering second-hand vessels to Australia by 2032.
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PM restates support for two-state solution in call with French President
Anthony Albanese has restated Australia's support for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine in a phone call with Emmanuel Macron. The French President was the first major Western leader to conditionally commit to recognising a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) next month amid starvation in Gaza. The UK and Canada soon followed, sparking speculation that Australia could be next. The Prime Minister has neither committed to nor ruled out doing so, but his government has acknowledged the global 'momentum' for Palestinian statehood. 'The leaders spoke about the crisis in Gaza and their ongoing commitment to getting aid to civilians,' according to a readout of the call put out on Wednesday. 'Both leaders discussed their longstanding support for a two-state solution.' The readout said they also 'discussed action on climate and France's support for Australia's joint bid to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific' as well as 'the importance of finalising the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement'. 'The leaders agreed to stay in close touch and meet again at the United Nations General Assembly in September,' it said. Mr Albanese held a similar call with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, earlier this week. France, the UK and Canada have all condemned Hamas' October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023 and said the Palestinian Islamist group cannot play a role in Gaza's governance. Though, all have also made clear the civilian suffering in the war-ravaged strip cannot continue either. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would go ahead with recognition if Israel did not loosen its chokehold on aid flowing into Gaza, where the death toll from starvation has climbed to nearly 200, according to local health officials. Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday repeated the Albanese government's condemnation of Hamas and said there was an 'unique opportunity in the international community to isolate and diminish' it while giving life to a Palestinian state. Originally published as PM restates support for two-state solution in call with French President
