The Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, will travel to the United States and India this week.
In the United States, Minister Conroy will hold high-level talks with representatives from the US Administration and Congress to advance the implementation of the pathway for Australia to acquire conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS partnership.
While in the United States, Minister Conroy will also visit the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Connecticut, where submarines, including the Virginia class, are produced for the US Navy.
“I am pleased Congress will consider the US Administration’s draft legislative proposals, which are early necessary steps for the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines program,” Minister Conroy said.
“I look forward to continuing to work closely with both the Administration and Congress to progress key alliance priorities including enhancing the two-way transfer of technology and information, and meaningful engagement in the Indo-Pacific.”
In India, Minister Conroy will attend the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi.
“I look forward to collaborating with G20 counterparts on contemporary international development challenges, particularly the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals,” Minister Conroy said.
“The Albanese Government is a strong supporter of our multilateral institutions. The only way to address the world’s greatest development challenges is through collective solutions”.
This will be Minister Conroy’s first Ministerial visit to India.
