Morrison government ministers allowed to defy travel ban to fly to the US

Australia's foreign and defence ministers will become the first members of the government to leave Australia since the international border closed.

Today, Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds will travel to Washington for annual talks with the US government, with "China" set to dominate discussions.

The Australian Ministers will meet face-to-face with US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington DC — a risky trip given the US has hit over four million COVID-19 cases.

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The small delegation, which also includes Chief of the Defence Force, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) secretary Frances Adamson and Defence secretary Greg Moriarty, will have isolate for fourteen days when they return.

"And they'll be doing it on the basis of medical advice," Health Minister Greg Hunt said.

"The fact that they're meeting in the middle of the pandemic is important, and of course it will all be about China," Peter Jennings, executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told 9News.

"It's acceptable for both Washington and Canberra if we kind of to steer our own courses on this issue.

"It's not smart for Australia to look like we're just in American's coattails."

Before take-off, the ministers blasted Beijing for its coercive conduct in the South China Sea and its undermining of democratic freedoms in Hong Kong.

They also noted cyberattacks are on the rise — without once naming China.

Meanwhile, at the United Nations, Australia formally rejected Beijing's claims to islands in the crucial trading waters.

"Australia needs to defend the Australian national interest and we also need to stand up for international law," Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said.