Insights from the Launch of the Parliamentary Friends of AUKUS

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the launch of the Parliamentary Friends of AUKUS at Parliament House. As Australia continues to advance this multi‑decade partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States, the establishment of this forum is both timely and strategically important.

The event brought together parliamentarians, Defence leaders, industry representatives and members of the diplomatic community, underscoring the shared commitment required to deliver AUKUS. Attendees included the Hon. Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence; Angus Taylor MP, Shadow Minister for Defence; Dame Sarah MacIntosh DCMG, British High Commissioner to Australia; and Erika Olson, Chargé d’Affaires at the United States Embassy.

Their presence reinforced a central theme of the evening: AUKUS requires sustained political alignment, international cooperation and active industry participation.

Bipartisan continuity matters

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles spoke clearly about the importance of bipartisan commitment to AUKUS. The Parliamentary Friends of AUKUS has been established as a mechanism to strengthen parliamentary understanding of AUKUS, reinforce bipartisan support, and create an ongoing forum for engagement on Australia’s trilateral security partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom.

From an industry perspective, bipartisan continuity is critical. Long‑term confidence enables investment in capability, infrastructure and people, all of which are essential to building a resilient sovereign defence industry.

Trilateral alignment

The remarks from the UK and US representatives were also insightful, emphasising the trilateral commitment to shared security objectives and the importance of deepening industrial, technological, and operational cooperation. They also reinforced AUKUS as a multi‑generational undertaking.

What this means for industry and SMEs

One of the most important implications of AUKUS is its impact on Australia’s defence workforce landscape. The demand for cleared, highly skilled professionals, will only intensify.

For small and medium enterprises, this presents a genuine opportunity. Success won't be driven by scale alone, but by the ability to offer sovereign capability, agility and compelling employee value propositions. Investment in talent development, security compliance and long‑term strategic alignment with Government priorities will be key differentiators.

Looking ahead

Forums like the Parliamentary Friends of AUKUS play an important role in fostering the collaboration, understanding and continuity required to deliver on its promise.

My thanks to the co‑chairs, Matt Burnell MP (Member for Spence) and Aaron Violi MP (Member for Casey), for establishing this valuable platform. I welcomed the opportunity to engage and look forward to contributing to informed, bipartisan dialogue as AUKUS continues to take shape.