The Greens acknowledge the role played by China in heightening strategic uncertainty, but argue it is the US alliance that is likely to drag Australia into a new war.
In a major split from the position of the Coalition and the Labor Party, the Greens say the best solution is not to work with the US to deter and deny Chinese adventurism – a key principle of the Defence Strategic Review.
The Greens solution is instead to review the US alliance, cancel the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines, slash defence spending and reorientate the nation’s defence posture away from force projection.
Defence spokesman David Shoebridge says this is an exercise in “de-escalation” and a restoration of Australian independence in world affairs.
Shoebridge argues the defence budget should be focused more narrowly on “protecting Australia’s sovereignty, our national integrity and our maritime and air approaches”.
In reality, he has outlined a policy of retreat.
Intensifying strategic competition between Washington and Beijing will continue to transform the Asia-Pacific regardless of whether Australia turns inward.
The only difference is the Greens policy prescription will render Australia irrelevant in this competition, while making it more vulnerable.
Beijing will only be encouraged in its campaign of coercion, use of grey zone tactics and attempt to cultivate client states to reshape the regional order.
Australia will have fractured the US alliance system in the Pacific and weakened America’s strategic position.
Shoebridge says regional partners would prefer to deal with a more independent Australia than a US “deputy sheriff”, but the alliance is one of the key reasons why Australia is seen to wield such influence.
Many regional and Pacific partners are also likely to take a dim view at decisions taken by Australia that leave them more vulnerable to Chinese influence.
The Greens’ defence policy positions the minor party far to the left of the Labor Party, but it has not received sufficient attention in the national debate.
It should.
Many may not be aware of the Greens’ defence policy, given the minor party’s focus on climate and environment, but it reveals them fundamentally as a party of protest rather than a political force that could be trusted with the reins of executive government.
This is no small matter given the growth trajectory of the Greens, their aim to win more lower house seats and a likelihood of a minority parliament at the next election.
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While Australia navigates the most perilous epoch since World War II, the Greens worry more about the strategic risks of the US alliance than Beijing’s push for regional dominance.