US ‘unquestionably' Australia's top diplomatic priority
"I'm not sure that patronising the reviewer of AUKUS is the best way to go if you want to continue the agreement and save the agreement from the chopping block," Mr Paterson told Sky News Australia.
"This appears to be calculated. The prime minister, perhaps out of some misguided belief that there's a domestic political advantage for him in keeping a distance from the Trump administration, is neglecting our most important security relationship in the most perilous time.
"I believe our task is to reassure our American friends that we are their most reliable ally, and frankly, that's an easy thing to do given our track record and given our history."
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