Australia should persist with Aukus despite risk of US relationship ‘becoming unstuck’, former defence chief says

Dennis Richardson argues biggest hindrance to $368bn deal is budgetary capacity and political will'

• Election 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaign
• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

The US is a less reliable and a more demanding ally" under Donald Trump's second administration, but Australia should persist with the Aukus submarine deal, despite its risks and growing political and military concerns, former ambassador Dennis Richardson has argued.

The worst possible thing we could do at this point would be to change course," he told the Security and Sovereignty conference organised in Canberra by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull on Monday.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email