The Australian government has expressed confidence that the $368 billion trilateral submarine agreement with the United Kingdom and the United States, known as AUKUS, will proceed as planned despite the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer stepped down overnight amid significant internal party pressure, less than two years after leading Labour to a decisive election victory.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles addressed reporters at Parliament House on Tuesday, emphasizing that the AUKUS partnership remains on track. Marles described Starmer as “a great friend to Australia” and affirmed that the pact is advancing at a strong pace. “I was there the week before last with our Foreign Minister, and AUKUS really is proceeding very well,” he said, underscoring the Australian government’s strong working relationship with the UK on the initiative.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute to Starmer following his resignation, highlighting their close alliance and collaboration. Albanese noted that he considered Starmer a friend and acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding the departure. “Serving in public life is a tremendous privilege but politics can also be a harsh business,” Albanese wrote on social media. He praised Starmer for leading Labour back into government in 2024 and expressed gratitude for their opportunities to work together.

While the government welcomed the certainty around AUKUS’s continuation, opposition frontbencher Andrew Hastie offered a more critical perspective. Hastie expressed regret over Starmer’s resignation but argued that during his tenure, the UK leader had “failed to address” significant challenges faced by the country.

The AUKUS alliance, launched in 2021, aims to enhance security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, with the centerpiece being the development of nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian Navy. Despite the political shift in the UK leadership, Australian officials have reiterated that their strategic and defense interests with both the UK and the US remain firmly aligned, and the partnership will continue to advance according to schedule.