Sydney: In a firm assertion of Australia’s sovereign defense policy, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has clarified that the country will not pre-commit troops to any future military conflict, including potential flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific region. His statement comes amidst growing international speculation regarding how U.S. allies might respond in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Speaking to ABC’s Insiders program, Conroy rejected demands both overt and implied that Australia should pledge in advance to join any future war, including one involving the U.S. and China. “We don’t make decisions based on hypotheticals,” Conroy said. “Any decision to commit Australian forces will be made by the government of the day, based on national interest and parliamentary approval.”
The remarks follow a high-profile push from U.S. defense policy experts like Elbridge Colby, who urged allies including Australia and Japan to clarify their potential military roles in any Taiwan contingency. However, Conroy dismissed this pressure, stating that the Albanese government will not forfeit its right to assess each situation on its own merits.
Conroy's comments are particularly significant given the backdrop of Exercise Talisman Sabre, Australia’s largest biennial military drill, which this year involves around 40,000 troops from 19 countries, including the United States, Japan, and several Pacific nations. While Conroy highlighted the importance of such joint exercises in promoting readiness and deterrence, he emphasized that these do not equate to binding commitments.
Australia’s position remains nuanced: it strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in Taiwan by force, but it stops short of pledging automatic involvement in a military response. "We support peace, dialogue, and regional stability. But we won’t be drawn into war plans or coerced into alignment without democratic deliberation," said Conroy.
The reaffirmation of Australia’s strategic independence comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares for an official visit to China this week, seeking to stabilize ties that have been tense in recent years over trade disputes and geopolitical concerns. Australian intelligence has repeatedly warned about Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific, particularly efforts to establish military footholds in smaller island nations.
Conroy also warned about rising military tension in the region, particularly due to Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea and diplomatic encroachments in the Pacific. While Australia continues to work closely with its AUKUS allies the U.S. and the U.K. to strengthen defense capabilities, including the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, it remains cautious about being seen as an extension of American foreign policy.
Ultimately, Conroy’s message was clear: “Australia will always reserve the right to make its own decisions, guided by our democratic values and the principle of sovereign choice. No foreign nation or strategic calculus can override that.”