Despite former Labor prime minister, Paul Keating, calling the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal the ‘worst international decision’ by a Labor government in more than 100 years, local federal Labor MP, Justine Elliot is promoting the massive increase in military spending as good for the ‘national interest’.
The Australian government last week announced it would build eight nuclear-powered submarines, with the UK and US, within the next 30 years, for $368B.
The Echo asked Elliot about the deal, and she replied, ‘Our Albanese Labor government is focused on providing Australians stability, confidence and security. We’re providing greater economic security, cost-of-living relief to families, and security in energy, manufacturing, jobs, wages and defence. To do this, our government is increasing investment in healthcare, child care, aged care, education and access to housing.
‘And because the very first priority of all governments is to protect their citizens, we’re also bolstering Australia’s national security, because it’s in our interest to ensure our region is peaceful, stable, prosperous and respectful of sovereignty.
‘AUKUS will strengthen Australia’s national security and contribute to regional stability in response to unprecedented strategic challenges.
‘It will also build a future made in Australia, by Australians, with record investments in defence, skills, jobs and infrastructure.
National interest
‘We are making this decision in Australia’s national interest. Our national interest demands that we make a contribution to upholding the global rules-based order’.
Despite the claims by the local MP, Keating told the National Press Club last week he disputes whether national security would be strengthened, given, ‘China has not threatened us’.
Former federal Labor senator, Doug Cameron, added his concerns, telling the ABC, ‘I’d rather we funded many other things’.
Justine has pledged her kids(and/ or grandkids) to fight a US war against China over Taiwan which few think will go the way of the USA.
What happens when the US attcks a Chinese ship carrying Australian iron ore to China? The dills making the decision and the hangers-on like Justine have put a great big target on us and the pretend submarines will not be of much use.
Why not use some of the billions to kick-start an EV industry (building utes, trucks and buses). There would be the ‘20,000’ jobs and no provocation for WW111.
We are a target with or without those submarines. Australia does not have the option to declare “neutrality” and pretend we won’t be affected.
Are you sure? Tell us your logic behind this extraordinary claim.
Justine Elliot replied… sorry, she simply repeated the uni-party line. And not a fan of Keating, nor his tone, but I must agree that this is the worst deal for Australia ever!
$368 billion – wait for cost to blow out – for underwater drones (submarines) that we essentially won’t really own.
E.g. The USA will own and control the software. We can’t take subs to sea without Washington’s approval. They are the terms.
Oh but the “what if we are invaded” hypothetical will come thick and fast from worry pots and war mongers thanks to our new state influenced media stirring up fear of the boogey man. Well, the subs could be 30 years away from delivery, so you have 29 years to keep panicking if you are that way inclined.
Riddle me this – since WW2, what country has been involved with over-throwing more foreign governments and invading more foreign countries than any other?
Perhaps time we gave Mother’s a go at ruling the world for a while, think about the incredible good this money would bring?
5 off the top of my head.
Homeless shelters – homelessness gone.
Public housing – “hello”
Hospitals – reduce strain, better health outcomes for all
Education – smarter nation, catch up for “lockdown” kids
Roads – our potholes gone…until next downpour.
Fortunately Justine is not Prime Minister material, so this is irrelevant.
Pity Albanese is not Prime Minister material either – that’s how we ended up with such a dumb decision to implement the dumb plan of Scott Morrison
Justine Elliot proves once again that she is nothing more than a lackey of a party thst is itself s lackey of a system built upon corporate profit and fear.
Well done, Justine, you have just made a decision that has made Australia the prime target of nuclear missiles after the big four- US, UK, China and Russia.
We are a target if we have the submarines or not. It would be nice to declare neutrality like Switzerland, but we are not Switzerland.
Are you sure? Tell us your logic behind this extraordinary claim.