New UK deal shows need for urgent inquiry into AUKUS
New UK deal shows need for urgent inquiry into AUKUS | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news New UK deal shows need for urgent inquiry into AUKUS 2025-07-28 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. “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. “Signing Australia up to a 50-year agreement with the UK like this is an expensive distraction for Australia’s 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. “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.” File Attachment Size Document for Tabling - NPSPACA (3).pdf 385.29 KB Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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