Australia’s alliance with the United States, including the AUKUS partnership, enhances rather than diminishes the country’s sovereignty, Defence Minister Richard Marles remarked.
In a statement to the House on Feb. 9, Marles repudiated critics of the AUKUS alliance, such as former prime ministers Paul Keating and Malcolm Turnbull, who argue the acquisition of nuclear submarines capabilities would make Australia dependent on its allies and erode its sovereignty.
In January, Turnbull said that while AUKUS was worthwhile, the submarine aspect would diminish Australian sovereignty because the ships would require U.S. Navy supervision to be operated and maintained.
But Marles said the AUKUS pact helps accelerate Australia’s development of advanced defence capabilities, which in the long-term, builds self-reliance and agency to pursue our sovereign interests….