Australia’s strengthening relationship with the United States is on display as top officials from each country prepare to discuss security, stability and the progression of a major defence deal.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles will meet their US counterparts in Brisbane for high level strategic talks.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin landed in the sunshine state on Friday for the 33rd Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations.

It’s the first time the ministers are meeting since the announcement of the nuclear submarine agreement under the AUKUS security deal.

The submarines are expected to be high on the agenda, after opposition within US Congress signalled progress on the deal could stall.

A small group of Republicans is threatening to block the agreement, citing concerns the US Navy will be left short.

Mr Marles said the Australia-US relationship was only getting stronger.
“One thing is really clear: now is the time to be working closely with friends,” he said on Friday.

“The alliance between our two countries is at the heart of Australia’s national security and our world view and we look forward to progressing that relationship over the course of the next two days.”

Mr Blinken said in a challenging global climate, it was important for like-minded nations to work in partnership.

“It makes such a huge difference to have close friends as we tackle the challenges that we both face around the world and also try to find opportunities (for) progress,” he said.

On Sunday, Mr Marles and Mr Austin will travel to north Queensland to meet Australian and US troops taking part in military drills as part of the Talisman Sabre exercise.

— AAP