From the Guardian · · 2m
Keating warns Aukus locks Australia into losing China war
Former PM says the submarine deal makes Australia a target and surrenders sovereignty to US military interests.
In brief
Former PM says the submarine deal makes Australia a target and surrenders sovereignty to US military interests. Paul Keating argues Aukus commits Australia to a war it cannot win and leaves it vulnerable to Chinese retaliation. Originally reported by the Guardian.
Keating warns Aukus locks in war
Former PM Paul Keating says the submarine deal commits Australia to any future US conflict with China, a war America would certainly lose.
“a war America would certainly lose”
US would abandon Australia after defeat
Keating argues the US would retreat to San Diego after losing to China, leaving Australia vulnerable to Chinese retaliation for participating in the conflict.
“scuttle itself back to San Diego, leaving Australia vulnerable to China”
Sovereignty being shredded, Keating says
Australia's increasing military integration with the US, especially through Aukus, is eroding Australian sovereignty and locking the country into US military decisions.
“sovereignty effectively being shredded”
McCaul says Australia already a target
Republican congressman Michael McCaul told Australian leaders that Australia is already a target for US enemies, but greater US military integration would provide better protection.
“Australia is a target”
US assumes Australia backs Taiwan war
McCaul said the US military establishment assumes Australia would participate in any US intervention to protect Taiwan, and this assumption was never questioned.
“I don't think it was even questioned. It's just obvious.”
Nuclear subs could be nuclear armed
McCaul said it is logical to assume US nuclear-powered submarines rotating through Australian bases could carry nuclear weapons after 2032, under the Aukus agreement.
US controls over half Australian bases
The US military has access to more than half of Australia's military installations, including critical intelligence sites like Pine Gap that support US military operations.
Shoebridge warns of beachhead danger
Greens senator David Shoebridge said Aukus positions Australia as a beachhead for US military operations against China, putting Australians in danger in someone else's war.
“people get killed at a beachhead”
Aukus costs $368 billion to 2050s
The multi-decade Aukus agreement is forecast to cost Australia up to $368 billion through the mid-2050s, with submarines entering service from 2032 onwards.
Australia must store nuclear waste
Australia will be responsible for securing and storing nuclear waste from its submarines for thousands of years, including high-level waste that poses weapons proliferation risks.
At a glance
Paul Keating argues Aukus commits Australia to a war it cannot win and leaves it vulnerable to Chinese retaliation.
