Peter Varghese is wrong. AUKUS is our path to defence self-reliance
Australia should not sign a blank cheque for the military pact or pre-commit to hypothetical wars, but it is normal for allies to seek clarity on roles as the strategic outlook darkens.
AUKUS has dominated headlines since its 2021 launch, and new leaks about the Trump administration “wanting more” have reignited anxieties. Australia should not concede to every US request, but quitting would be reckless. A capable navy, centred on nuclear-powered submarines, underwrites our security and economy.
Former diplomat Peter Varghese may hanker for the pact’s demise, yet that view ignores the blunt military facts of defending an island continent. This is precisely the moment to steady the course on AUKUS, not abandon it.
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Jennifer Parker is an expert associate at the national security college ANU, an adjunct fellow at UNSW, and associate fellow at the Council on Geostrategy.
