Will AUKUS Make Us Safer?

The impact of the AUKUS deal on the security and wellbeing of all Australians will be the focus of a webinar on Tuesday 11 February 2025 at 6 to 7 pm AEDT hosted by the Australian Peace and Security Forum (APSF).

At a time when Australians are struggling with the cost of living, Phase 1 of the agreement between Australia, the UK, and the US is to acquire up-to 8 nuclear-powered submarines at an estimated cost of $368 billion by 2050, with many experts saying this budget is likely to blowout.

“AUKUS was conceived in secret without parliamentary and public scrutiny, and in the absence of a national security strategy,” said Major General Smith (ret’d). “AUKUS jeopardises our sovereignty and independence, unbalances the Australian Defence Force, and unnecessarily embeds Australia in the misguided US attempt to contain China, now the major power in Asia.” 

Speakers at the 11 February webinar will be:

• The Hon Melissa Parke, Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and a former Member of Parliament and UN human rights lawyer;
• Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs Program at The Australia Institute, specialising in international and security policy development; and
• Major General Michael G Smith AO (Retd), a 34-year veteran of the Australian Defence Force, including serving in Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Timor-Leste.

Former Australian Chief Scientist, Penny D Sackett, now Distinguished Honorary Professor, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions will moderate the webinar.

Smith contends that “AUKUS increases our insecurity, promotes an arms race in the southwest Pacific, and intensifies the risk of nuclear war.”

“There is no question that AUKUS increases the likelihood of nuclear strikes on critical US bases in Australia, against which there are no plans to protect Australians. Nor is there any solution to deal safely with high-level nuclear waste.  AUKUS needs to be abandoned and the unachievable defence strategy of ‘denial through deterrence’ urgently reconsidered,” he stressed.

“The first step is to transparently develop an Australian Peace and Security Strategy that reflects the wishes of the Australian people. Our defence strategy and force structure must contribute to this,” concluded Major General Smith.

Register at: events.humanitix.com/australia-s-national-security-nuclear-survival-and-the-us-alliance

Press Contact:  Major General (Ret’d) Mike Smith on 0439 490 297

The APSF, a not-for-profit association, is a broad network of informed researchers and professionals working to strengthen peace and security for all Australians by providing information, analysis and opportunities for dialogue with Government and civil society.  More information about the APSF can be found at:  www.austpeaceandsecurityforum.org.au