AUSTRALIAN SHIPMENT OF DEFENCE MINERALS BLOCKED BY CHINA, US LEFT WANTING

• China blocks key shipment of Australian defence critical minerals to the US.
• Labor promised a US critical minerals deal, yet cannot guarantee delivery of existing shipments.
• Coalition calls on Labor to secure defence and strategic critical minerals deal with the US.

Concerning reports that an Australian shipment of key defence critical minerals was delayed and then returned to Australia by China, highlights the weakness of the Albanese Government’s critical minerals agenda, and raises concerns of Australia’s ability to guarantee supply to the United States.

Shadow Minister for Resources, Senator Susan McDonald, also raised concerns with the Albanese Government’s ability to secure a critical minerals supply deal with the United States – as he has yet to secure a meeting with US President Trump.

“During the election campaign, the Labor Government promised that they had ‘begun talks’ with the United States to secure a critical minerals deal – after three years of inaction,” Senator McDonald said.

“Four months later, we are no closer to a deal with the US, there is no policy detail, and thanks to the weakness of the Prime Minister, we now cannot even guarantee the delivery of existing shipments, as this latest turned-back cargo of antimony proves.

“The Coalition advocated strongly to strengthen our Critical Minerals Strategy to: support national and regional security, and that of our allies and partners; provide clarity and certainty for strategic long-term investments; and safeguard the security of supply chains, including strategic supply chains.

“It is time for Labor to explain why they cannot guarantee supply of our defence minerals to our partners, why they cannot secure a critical minerals deal with the United States, and why the Prime Minister still cannot secure a meeting with President Trump.”

ENDS