Australia’s involvement in AUKUS and the nuclear-powered submarines deal resulted from the actions of Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister who activated this by assuming multiple ministerial portfolios, pressure from former US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and the ambushing of his successor, Anthony Albanese with a 24 hour deadline with “consequences” if not agreed.
There was no referral to the full Australian Parliament for such a monumental, expensive, and one-sided commitment, that diminishes our sovereignty and ties us to the military industrial complex of the US and UK. Both these countries are in massive social and political turmoil, and are clearly not interested in a peaceful, multi-polar world. In fact the US repeatedly have stated they will not accept losing their world hegemony to any other nation.
The US and UK have pushed us into the frontline of their mindless confrontation with China, our biggest trade partner. Former PM Morrison had previously caused massive economic damage to Australia by recklessly accusing China of responsibility for Covid.
Australia is in deep economic trouble which will only get worse with its failure to demand due payment for our energy resources and its unachievable and unaffordable Net Zero plans. To enter into a hugely expensive and open-ended defence procurement, that leaves Australia carrying all the risk, is a very dangerous and highly irresponsible step, largely motivated by AUKUS’s baseless antipathy towards China.
Those pushing endless wars and confrontations rarely have family in the firing line, just other people’s fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, uncles, and aunts. However, we are heading towards everyone being in the firing line. Australia’s obsequiousness towards the US and UK ensures we have put multiple nuclear targets onto our wonderful country, starting with Pine Gap and being added to all too frequently.
We would be better off in BRICS, but of course we would never be allowed to take that step as we have allowed ourselves to be owned by the US and UK. So much for Australian sovereignty!
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