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.
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.
The 50-year deal has little new detail and is largely a virtue signal to the US seeking the Trump administration's support for the failing AUKUS deal.
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 "East of Suez" and the decades since its economic and military reach has only diminished.
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 "waive all claims for liability" on the transfer of AUKUS nuclear submarines.
Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Defence and Foreign Affairs, said:
"The 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.
"Signing Australia up to a 50-year pact with the UK like this is an expensive distraction for Australia's defence and security planners.
"Think of the message that is being sent to our region as we invite the UK back bin a half century after our neighbours finally saw them sail away.
"With 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.
"These 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."
