Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is directly lobbying members of US Congress to continue supporting the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal.
He says the pact is essential in strengthening Australia’s defence capabilities and that it is a good agreement for the US and UK.
It follows criticism in America from two senators who warned President Joe Biden the AUKUS deal could be a zero-sum game for the allocation of scarce, highly advanced US nuclear boats.
Mr Albanese is confident Joe Biden will stick to the AUKUS agreement despite domestic political pressure.