Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy called for the Australian Labor Party to unite in support of the AUKUS submarine programme [1].
The push comes as the government seeks to prevent internal party friction ahead of the ALP national conference. By framing the defence pact as a labor issue, the administration aims to neutralize anti-AUKUS sentiment within its own ranks [2].
Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, Conroy said the party must align under a banner of "progressive patriotism" [2]. He said the Australian Labor Party is the strongest political force regarding national security and defence [1].
Conroy linked the military project to domestic economic growth. "Progressive patriotism means backing Australian workers and Australian industry to make and sustain our critical defence capabilities," Conroy said [1].
The minister's remarks emphasize the role of local industry in the submarine programme. This strategy attempts to bridge the gap between traditional security requirements, the party's focus on workers' rights, and industrial capacity [2].
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is leading the broader effort to maintain party cohesion on the issue [1]. The administration believes that securing a unified front at the national conference is essential for the long-term stability of the AUKUS agreement [2].
“"Progressive patriotism means backing Australian workers and Australian industry to make and sustain our critical defence capabilities."”
This move signals a strategic shift by the Australian government to rebrand a high-cost military alliance as an industrial policy win. By utilizing the term 'progressive patriotism,' the government is attempting to make a controversial security pact palatable to the left wing of the Labor Party, ensuring the programme survives internal political challenges during the national conference.
