‘We can't do without them’: Kim Beazley on support for the US alliance slipping | Insiders On Background
4/17/202627 min
Australia’s National Defence Strategy was unveiled this week, with more money for drones and missiles and an unapologetic commitment to the US-alliance.
Kim Beazley is a former Defence Minister during the Hawke Government, a long-serving Labor Leader in opposition, a former Ambassador to the United States and now Chair of the Australian War Memorial.
He sat down with David Speers for this week’s Insiders On Background.
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First 90 secondsDavid Speers· Host0:00
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David Speers· Host0:35
[upbeat music] Australia's latest national defense strategy was unveiled on Thursday, with more money for drones and missiles, ongoing funding for AUKUS submarines, and an unapologetic defense of the US alliance and the rules-based order from Richard Marles. The Defense Minister is trying to hold support for the alliance at a time when Australians are growing uneasy about the relationship because of Donald Trump. His war against Iran, his wild threats to wipe out a civilization, his daily berating of allies, including Australia, for refusing to help have raised understandable concerns. But Richard Marles argues this alliance is fundamental to Australia's national security. Is he right? Or should Australia be rethinking its position? And does this latest national defense strategy do enough to prepare us for the dangerous world we're in? I'm David Speers, on Ngunnawal country at Parliament House