Also standing in the way are US laws such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which could delay for years the transfer of crucial technologies Australia needs to bolster its submarine capacity before the retirement of its Collins-class fleet some time next decade.
“Through this approach, we are opening avenues for greater technology transfers with one of our closest partners and this will see enormous opportunities open up,” Defence Minister Richard Marles said.
The pathway to provide Australia with nuclear submarines to help safeguard the Indo-Pacific was unveiled by Biden, Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in March.
Biden and Albanese will discuss its progress when they convene at the White House this week, during a trip that is also expected to include meetings with Vice-President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
In a bid to garner more support for AUKUS, Albanese is expected to meet on Thursday morning with Senate and House leaders who oversee defence policy and funding to talk about the policy.
A reception will also be hosted for him by the bipartisan Friends of Australia Caucus, while the issue will be front and centre on Wednesday when Congress’ seapower and projection forces subcommittee, co-led by Democrat Joe Courtney, holds a hearing on America’s submarine industrial base and its ability to support the AUKUS framework.
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Appearing at the hearing will be some of the US defence industry’s top officials, including Department of Defence assistant secretary Mara Karlin, under-secretary of the navy Erik Raven and Naval Submarine Forces commander Vice Admiral William Houston.
Asked if he would be willing to increase Australia’s $3 billion commitment to boost the US submarine base, Albanese replied: “We think our support is appropriate.”
But signs of the challenge in getting legislation to pass in a dysfunctional Congress were evident on Monday night.
As Albanese attended a welcome reception at the north-west Washington residence of Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, Republicans met behind closed doors on Capitol Hill in another frantic search to find a replacement for Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy, who was voted out of the role on October 3, leading to weeks of government paralysis.
Eight new candidates are now in the running: Republican whip Tom Emmer, Louisiana congressman Mike Johnson, Republican study committee chairman Kevin Hern, Florida firebrand Byron Donalds, Michigan congressman Jack Bergman, Gary Palmer of Alabama, Austin Scott of Georgia and Pete Sessions of Texas.
The impasse has dashed Albanese’s hopes of delivering a rare address to a joint sitting of Congress, while the Israel-Hamas war has made the state visit a more subdued affair than Scott Morrison’s 2019 visit when Trump was president.
Asked if the White House should have proceeded with the visit, spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said there was “no more important time than now” for the US to demonstrate the strength of its alliance with Australia.
Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.