Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced an additional $15 million in humanitarian aid for Gazan civilians during a state visit to the US.
The announcement came during a joint press conference alongside US President Joe Biden, where they expressed a desire for the conflict to come to a peaceful end.
“We grieve for the loss of every innocent life, whether that be Israeli or Palestinian,” Albanese told reporters.
“When this crisis is over, there has to be a vision of what comes next … And in our view has to be a two-state solution,” Biden added.
The aid is in addition to $10 million already pledged for water and medical services in the war-stricken area.
Their meeting also garnered further tech initiatives between the two countries with the announcement of the Google subsea cable, which will be used to bolster internet connectivity and allow for live weather updates to Pacific island nations.
This comes days after Microsoft pledged $3 billion into investments of cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity in Australia.
Biden also touched on the AUKUS deal during the conference, where Australia will be supplied with American nuclear submarines, saying it was just a matter of “not if, but when”.
Congressional researchers have recently cast doubt on the deal, regarding Australia’s deterrence capability against China and willingness to partner with the US if conflict broke out against the East Asian country.
Biden told of a conversation he had with Chinese President Xi Jinping when the AUKUS deal was first struck, with President Xi raising concerns the deal could be seen as increasing hostility toward China.
“I said, no, we’re not surrounding China. We’re just making sure that the sea lanes remain open, it doesn’t unilaterally [allow us] to be able to change the rules of the road in terms of what constitutes international airspace and water, space, etc.,” Biden said.
The state visit marks the ninth time the Australian and American leaders have met since Albanese became PM.
Photo: P20230520CS-0497 by The White House available HERE and used under a Creative Commons license. This image has not been modified.
