Marles 'stood up' on AUKUS trip after UK Defence Secretary's shock resignation

According to ABC News reporter Stephen Dziedzic, Marles learned of the resignation half an hour after landing at Heathrow, from Australian High Commissioner Stephen Smith. Marles said Downing Street had not informed him and that the meeting cancellation reached him via social media. He cancelled a planned visit to BAE Systems' Barrow-in-Furness shipyard.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a Canberra parliamentary briefing: "Such a moment in allied diplomacy is unacceptable; AUKUS cooperation depends on simultaneous commitment from the US, UK and Australia." Justin Bassi, director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), told ABC: "The three-pillar AUKUS model is facing its most critical test day." Pentagon spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said Washington is "in continuous contact with Australia."

On returning to Canberra, Marles told reporters he will meet US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington on 16 June and that the AUKUS Pillar II technology-sharing schedule will continue independently. The Australian dollar weakened from 0.6420 to 0.6385 in Asian trading.