Barnaby Joyce blasts Labor over Taiwan statement, Rishworth says Australia's relationships important
The Nationals MP appeared on on Sunrise with Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth, who was asked whether it was in the public interest to know how Australia would assist the US in the event of a war in Taiwan.
'Well, I think what's in Australia's interests and the public's interest is for us to have peace and security in our region,' Ms Rishworth said.
'Of course, part of that is making sure Australia has the capability to respond in 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.'
Mr Joyce took issue with Ms Rishworth's support of the 'status quo' and said it involved a 'unilateral move by Communist China to take over democratic Taiwan'.
'If you support the status quo, and China does that, which they say they're going to do, what are we going to do?' he said.
'If you say 'We're going to do nothing', then the United States will say 'I'm not really interest in your AUKUS agreement then'.
'If we don't have an AUKUS agreement, probably the most fundamental plank of our defence arrangement falls over.
'We keep on hearing this tripe about 'We're spending more on defence', but that's inflation, everything is going up.
'If the United States deems we're not an earnest and fervent ally, what exactly are we going to defend our nation?'
The back-and-forth came as Anthony Albanese started a six-day trip to China that has been overshadowed by a US defence adviser's call for countries the US deemed to be lagging on defence spending to rapidly increase funding.
The comments were made by Donald Trump's key defence adviser Elbridge Colby — a noted China hawk — who has reportedly been pushing Japanese and Australian defence officials for their response if China invaded Taiwan.
Ms Rishworth's line that the government would not 'deal with hypotheticals' has been consistent among Labor MPs after Acting Defence Minister Pat Conroy said he would not 'engage in hypotheticals' or 'disclose confidential discussions' on the ABC on Sunday.
The Albanese government is facing increasing pressure both from the US to increase funding but also politically at home as the Prime Minister continues to try to lock in a face-to-face meeting with the US President.
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