Which specific ministerial engagements in the week beginning 17 August 2026, if any, prevented the Minister from attending a planned trilateral defence ministers' meeting with Australia and Japan in Canberra, Australia; and was consideration given to rescheduling or delegating any of those engagements so that he could attend the meeting; if not, why not?

Asked by

Damien O'Connor

List MP · Labour Party

• Which specific ministerial engagements in the week beginning 17 August 2026, if any, prevented the Minister from attending a planned trilateral defence ministers' meeting with Australia and Japan in Canberra, Australia; and was consideration given to rescheduling or delegating any of those engagements so that he could attend the meeting; if not, why not?