Australia news live: Burke defends immigration policy; China says Aukus ‘destabilises region’, ambassador to US tells thinktank

Australia's immigration policy remains a hot topic as Prime Minister's special representative on Aukus, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, defended the nuclear submarine deal during a discussion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC. Lovegrove claimed that the Aukus policy is opposed by potential adversaries, including China, which he believes is wary of its destabilising impact on the region.

He argued that China's rapid expansion of its nuclear-powered and missile-capable submarine fleet is more destabilising than Australia's Aukus submarines. Lovegrove emphasized the importance of immigration to Australia's economy, stating that while the current numbers are too high, the government should cap immigration based on housing supply, infrastructure, and existing services.