Australian news and politics live: Anthony Albanese releases statement attacking Israel over Gaza

The UK will sign a new 50-year bilateral AUKUS treaty with Australia during ministerial talks in Sydney, as question marks continue over US involvement in the submarine project.

The AUKUS partnership between the UK, US and Australia involves building nuclear-powered attack submarines - including Australia acquiring its first such fleet - and co-operating in other areas of defence.

It was agreed by the three countries in 2021, but the Trump administration has put it under review, raising fears it could pull out.

The deal now being signed by the UK and Australia sets out the bilateral aspects of the partnership and how the two countries will work together to deliver the AUKUS submarine program over the next half-century.

“AUKUS is one of Britain’s most important defence partnerships, strengthening global security while driving growth at home,” UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

“This historic treaty confirms our AUKUS commitment for the next half century.”

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Liberal Senator Jane Hume has weighed in on the US beef controversy, as the Nationals question the timing of the decision as Australia awaits Trump’s tariffs.

The Albanese Government denies there’s anything ‘suspicious’ going on, saying the restriction being lifted is about biosecurity not trade.

“There is no second chance when it comes to protecting Australia’s livestock from biosecurity threats. Even if the threat is only... if it’s 99.9 per cent safe, that means there is a one in 1,000 chance it isn’t safe,” Ms Hume said on Sunrise.

“It’s not unreasonable to ask what it is that’s changed and to understand what the decision has been based upon, to see those documents. Particularly considering the timing.

“What is it that Australia is gaining out of this decision? Is it because we want to secure that tariff exemption with Donald Trump? If that’s the case, be explicit about it. Because otherwise there’s really nothing in this for Australia.

“It’s been now 262 days since Donald Trump’s been in office. Anthony Albanese has failed to secure a meeting with him. So, if it is to secure those tariff exemptions, OK, but be straight about it. And let’s be explicit and transparent about how this decision was made.”

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Queensland farmers have expressed outrage over the recent lifting of the Government’s ban on US beef, fearing it threatens Australia’s strict biosecurity.

Accusations have surfaced that the move was a political trade-off aimed at gaining leverage with the US administration on tariffs.

Health Minister Mark Butler has rejected these claims by saying, “this was a biosecurity decision, made by the same officials who made the same decision in relation to US cattle under the former government. It was not a trade decision,” while speaking on Sunrise on Friday morning.

Mr Butler expressed surprise that these expert officials are being questioned by the Nationals, who have called for an independent review.

“Frankly, I’m surprised that the same officials who have been serving governments of both political persuasions, very high-grade biosecurity officials, are being questioned by the National Party in this way,” he said.

He also defended the timing on the decision by saying, “it’s nothing in the timing. It reflects change in American practice over the last six or nine months.”

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Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles will today host their British counterparts, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Minister John Healey, for the latest Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (Aukmin) in Sydney.

The biannual talks will focus on deepening diplomatic and defence cooperation amid evolving strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr Marles and Ms Wong will also join their UK counterparts in Darwin on Sunday for the visit of the UK Carrier Strike Group, the first such deployment to Australia since 1997, taking place during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.

“The United Kingdom is a critical partner for Australia. We continue to work closely together, including through the Aukus partnership, to address shared strategic challenges in an increasingly complex and uncertain world,” Mr Marles said.

“We are seeing a very real example of how this works, with the first visit by a United Kingdom carrier strike group to Australia since 1997. I look forward to discussions in the coming days to advance our enduring relationship.”

While Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “We take the world as it is – but together, we are working to shape it for the better.”