In a 7NEWS podcast interview, Greens defence spokesperson David Shoebridge delivers a stinging critique of Australia's $368 billion AUKUS submarine plan and broader defence spending, calling it a wasteful race creating 'utter dependence' on the US and urging a total strategic rethink, including leasing notices for the Pine Gap base.
The Australian government's defence expenditure is undergoing intense scrutiny, particularly from within the political sphere, as concerns mount over the sustainability and strategic rationale behind a projected massive financial blowout.
A new National Defence Strategy, released in mid-April by Defence Minister Richard Marles, outlines plans to increase defence spending by an additional $53 billion over the next decade, with the overarching goal of lifting total outlays to at least 2 per cent of GDP, a figure that some, like Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, have indicated should be even higher, proposing at least 3 per cent. This substantial financial commitment is largely driven by the AUKUS partnership, specifically the pillar to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, a project with an estimated total lifecycle cost of up to $368 billion over thirty years.
The government frames this as essential for national security in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the acquisition of Virginia-class submarines from the United States. Minister Marles has highlighted the significance of securing a fleet of submarines of a common, advanced type, suggesting it represents a major capability boost.
However, this spending trajectory is being sharply challenged by Greens Senator David Shoebridge, the party's defence spokesperson, who argues that Australia is engaged in a misguided and wasteful military spending race. In a detailed interview for the 7NEWS podcast "The Issue," Shoebridge contends that the current approach represents a fundamental strategic failure, describing the process as "like tipping water through a sieve.
" His core argument is that Australia must undertake a "total rethink" of its defence posture, questioning the platforms and structure being pursued rather than simply pouring more money into them. He points to the nuclear submarine deal as a prime example of problematic dependence, stating the reliance on the United States for these vessels creates "utter dependence, utter, complete dependence" on another nation's political whims.
He starkly questions whether Australia would go to war based on the decisions of "Donald Trump or son of Donald Trump or whoever the hell is the president," highlighting the risks of ceding strategic autonomy. Shoebridge's critique extends beyond submarines to the broader architecture of the alliance, specifically calling for a renegotiation of the status of the Pine Gap intelligence base in central Australia.
He suggests a dramatic step: giving notice on the lease for the US-run facility, which is a critical node in the Five Eyes intelligence network. While framed with a touch of rhetoricalhumor comparing it to a universal dislike of receiving a lease notice, the proposal is serious and intended to spark a conversation about reclaiming sovereign control.
His position is isolating in the Australian political landscape, where there is widespread, bipartisan support for AUKUS and a general consensus on increasing defence spending in response to regional security concerns, particularly regarding China. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, for instance, while supporting AUKUS, represents a different strand of populist critique.
Shoebridge stands out as a rare voice on the left arguing for a fundamental shift away from what he sees as an unsustainable, expensive, and strategically constrained path, advocating instead for a defence model built on diversified sovereignty and a clear-eyed assessment of Australia's genuine, distinct security requirements rather than mirroring great power conflicts
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