Vital Richard Marles speech on AUKUS pact one he didn’t need to make

Australia’s sovereignty is a hot issue at the moment but dragging defence capabilities into the debate is a misfire.

Last week Defence Minister Richard Marles made an important statement to parliament to outline Australia’s “obligations” to our alliance partners under the AUKUS treaty.

It was unremarkable in content but what made it extraordinary was that he had to make such a statement at all.

His move was designed to publicly allay fears the AUKUS pact would somehow undermine the nation’s sovereignty through an over-reliance on the US and the UK, notably by our taking their high-end capabilities such as nuclear-powered submarines.

Defence Minister Richard Marles speaking in the House of Representatives this week. Picture: NewsWire

But those fears are only really being stoked by former prime ministers (Turnbull and Keating), perhaps struggling for relevance as they sit outside the national security fence.

The issue of sovereignty is a hot one at the moment but dragging defence capabilities into the debate is a misfire and Turnbull of all people should know this.

An alliance should not be confused with dependence; there are mutual benefits and new hardware such as subs will boost not diminish our sovereignty.

Australia’s defence needs have always had to be serviced with acquisitions from others.

The only thing that has changed in more recent times is our industrial defence base has reached a maturity where it has been able to significantly chip in.

The British HMS Ambush, second of the nuclear powered Astute Class attack submarines, the most advanced in the world which never needs to be refuelled and are capable of circumnavigating the world submerged, manufacturing the crew oxygen from seawater. Picture: MOD

An example is the RAAF’s premier stealth multi-role F-35A fighter capability.

Since we joined its development program in 2002, at least 80 contracted Australian businesses have contributed to its parts and design evolution for what we see in our skies today.

We could never have dreamt of having such an aircraft if we had to do it alone so we join a global supply chain. This will happen with the new submarines.

There will be obligations for us under the AUKUS treaty – most likely greater sharing of land, sea and air bases with the US, which is looking to expand its footprint in the Pacific.

Australian F-35 fighter, pictured Corporal Lorna Hill, RAAF maintenance ground crew. Picture: Nathan Edwards

But that doesn’t mean this is at the expense of compromising our sovereign integrity.

The government within days will be handed a once-in-a-generation blueprint for the future of our national security with the Defence Strategic Review (DSR), crafted by former Defence chief Sir Angus Houston and former Labor defence minister, now our top diplomat in London, Stephen Smith.

It will outline what we need to defend and project ourselves, and long-range capabilities such as nuclear-powered submarines and guided missile systems will be that step change.

A US Marine Corp HIMARS Rocket Launcher unloads from an RAAF C-17A Globemaster III for a joint training exercise between the USMC and the ADF at Bradshaw Training Ground. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Marles needs to get the public on board now with what’s needed and why, or his subs will be sunk in the public’s eye before they set out to sea.

The only thing he has to make sure he gets right is ensuring – unlike previous governments -we don’t over-complicate the acquisitions by succumbing to a quota of local content in their development.

It has in the past been counter-productive and done largely as a consolation to the unions and marginal electorates (notably in South Australia).

We are in unsettling times, courtesy of Russia’s globally destabilising Ukraine assault and China’s military expansionist ambitions and now is not the time to quibble over allied collaborations and acquisitions.

Originally published as Vital Richard Marles speech on AUKUS pact one he didn’t need to make