Opinion | Aukus alliance and nuclear submarine deal lock in Australia’s course in Asia
- Australia has chosen a side, tying its future security to deeper integration into the US contest with China and furthering its separation from its own region
- No doubt this is a suitable arrangement for the US, but it raises several questions for Australia – not least what does it lose if the strategy fails?
It could have been different. Leaders across the decades charted a sovereign course for Australia that balanced a strong alliance with the US at the same time as building stabilising and cooperative relationships with diverse powers in Asia.
The consensus for a generation appeared to be that Australia did not have to choose when major powers demanded that it take sides, but those days have gone.
Australia has now chosen a side, tying its future security to deeper integration into the US contest with China and furthering its separation from its own region. The optics of the three leaders emblazoned with red, white and blue said it all.
Australia has gone “all the way with the USA”, a country with which many Australians certainly feel comfortable and safe. But is it safe to place all Australia’s eggs in one basket?
