As Defence Minister Richard Marles prepares to attend next week’s NATO summit in Washington DC, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended his decision to reject an invitation to the international meeting.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Marles confirmed he would attend “elements” of the summit from July 9 to 11.
“As a non-NATO member, Australia shares a commitment to peace and security with NATO partners, including support for Ukraine against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion,” he said.
“The Deputy Prime Minister’s attendance at the 75th NATO summit underscores Australia’s commitment to advocate for our region’s strategic priorities and the upholding of the global rules-based order while advancing Australia’s security, economic and trade agenda.”
Speaking on ABC’s 7.30, Mr Albanese said his absence at the summit was because Australia was not a NATO member despite his attendance in 2022 and 2023.
Mr Albanese vehemently denied changing his mind on the matter and said he never accepted the invitation extended by NATO.
Mr Albanese said his attendance at the first NATO summit “was an opportunity for the first time to meet many world leaders”.
“We made a decision to send Richard Marles, who is our defence minister, who is the deputy prime minister,” he said.
“That’s consistent. I must say it’s a higher level (of) representation than the three previous Liberal prime ministers who all sent ministers rather than go themselves.”
The summit will likely address international matters, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war.
