Letter

In response to Paul Keating: Military control of Australia

Labor swallows Coalition defence and foreign policy holus-bolus

Ex Prime Minister Keating joins the growing list of informed commentators who is worried by, or opposes the AUKUS agreement. Having rejoiced at the departure of the Morrison government, I was shocked to see Labor swallow Coalition defence and foreign policy holus-bolus.

The idea that a Labor government would take us down the path of nuclear powered submarines costing an estimated $368 billion and tie us in with the United States’ military-industrial machine seemed unthinkable but here we are!

Richard Marles is like a school cadet, flattered by the big boys at the Pentagon and eager to please. The fact that this policy was presented as a fait accompli, without putting it before the Australian people first should anger all Australians.

It is a costly own goal for the Labor government and we will all be the poorer for it.

— Graeme McLeay from Torrens Park SA 5062