Conroy Defends AUKUS Sovereignty and Pacific Strategy Amid Domestic Backlash
Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy asserts that AUKUS preserves national sovereignty and that Pacific security treaties are essential for regional stability. He rejects claims that the pact compromises Australia's independence, emphasizing that submarines will be built and crewed locally. Conroy also highlights rugby league and visa reforms as tools to strengthen ties with Pacific nations, countering domestic criticism of multiculturalism by framing it as a historical norm.