Australia Rules Out Advance Commitments in Potential Conflict with China

Australia will reject any U.S. requests for advance commitments in the event of a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific region, according to The Guardian.

Defense Minister Pat Conroy said Australia would not agree to take part in a “hypothetical” conflict with China over Taiwan and would make no prior commitments.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also dismissed such demands, pointing out that the U.S. itself maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding whether it would respond militarily to a conflict over Taiwan.

He said Australia supports “peace and security” in the region.

Responding to reports that the Pentagon is seeking assurances from Australia and other allies about their stance in a possible conflict in the Indo-Pacific, Conroy said any decision to go to war would rest solely with the sitting government.

“The only authority that can commit Australia to war or allow our territory to be used for conflict is the elected government. That is our position. Sovereignty will always be the priority and that will be our position,” Conroy said.

The Financial Times reported Saturday that Elbridge Colby, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, had asked Japan and Australia to clarify their likely actions in the event of a conflict between the U.S. and China over Taiwan.

The U.S. push comes as the Department of Defense reviews the trilateral security agreement with the UK and Australia, known as AUKUS, to align it with the Trump administration’s “America First” approach.

The review could put at risk Australia’s plans to acquire U.S.-made Virginia-class nuclear submarines, a key element of its defense strategy.
According to Politico, the review is being led by Colby, who has expressed doubts about the strategic value of AUKUS.

Conroy declined to comment on the confidential discussions with Washington, but said the government would not address “hypothetical situations” involving future military conflict.

It remains unclear when the Pentagon will release more information about Colby’s AUKUS review, initially described as a 30-day process. While no official start date was given, more than 30 days have passed since the review was announced.