A protester has interrupted a discussion involving acting Prime Minister Richard Marles during the Defence Connect DSR Summit.

The event, which officially opened at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney, is a gathering of the defence industry and the strategic policy community to discuss and explore the impact of the Albanese government’s Defence Strategic Review (DSR). Members of the public are able to ask questions directly to speakers through the Slido app.

Event MC Christopher Pyne was discussing defence policy with Marles when the unidentified protester shouted from the crowd of event attendees.

The protester said Australia should be prioritising public housing and hospitals instead of nuclear submarines (AUKUS).

The unexpected comment was addressed by Mr Pyne, who asked, “Why can’t we have both?”

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles added that, “As protestors go, he was very polite.”