Aukus submarine deal will safeguard Indo-Pacific ‘peace and stability’, Australia tells neighbours

Deputy PM Richard Marles says ‘true intent’ of deal with US and UK is to defend the rules-based order across region

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The Australian government has sought to assure south-east Asian and Pacific countries that its nuclear-powered submarine plan – to be announced early next week – aims to safeguard “the peace and the stability of our region”.

After a series of leaks about the potential shape of the Aukus deal, the opposition offered bipartisan support to the government’s overall decisions, while pledging to “fight to make sure the outcome is achieved as quickly as possible”.

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