The new AUKUS defence agreement made public today between the United Kingdom and Australia cannot hide the core failings of AUKUS. With AUKUS under threat from the US review, this agreement is a step back into the 20th century and further distances us from our neighbours. It makes clear the need for an inquiry into AUKUS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The detail in the treaty makes clear that Australia is at the bottom rung of AUKUS, with the UK making all critical decisions on the design of the yet-to-be-built AUKUS nuclear submarines, and Australia once again funnelling money and little more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 50-year deal has little new detail and is largely a virtue signal to the US seeking the Trump administration\u2019s support for the failing AUKUS deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UK defence budget and industry are in disarray. Since 1972 the UK has made it clear it does not have a meaningful role in defence matters \u201cEast of Suez\u201d and the decades since its economic and military reach has only diminished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This deal also makes clear that Australia will be responsible for high, low and intermediate nuclear waste from UK submarines in Australia, with the limited exception of spent nuclear fuel. The deal will also see Australia \u201cwaive all claims for liability\u201d on the transfer of AUKUS nuclear submarines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Defence and Foreign Affairs, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Albanese Government has already committed to giving the UK a $5 billion down payment on AUKUS. Of course, the UK is committed to AUKUS; they have found a sucker in Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith this latest round of AUKUS the Albanese Government is making it clear they would rather handcuff Australia to an erratic bully in the US and a dying empire in the UK than work with our neighbours to have a peaceful and stable region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSigning Australia up to a 50-year agreement with the UK like this is an expensive distraction for Australia\u2019s defence and security planners. Think of the message being sent to our region as we invite the UK back, half a century after our neighbours finally saw them sail away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese decisions are seemingly being made on the fly and just highlight the urgent need for inquiry into the AUKUS to pull Australia back from this reckless and expensive nuclear folly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n File<\/p>\n\n\n\n