Australia to be ‘51st state’ of US with AUKUS pact

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating has expressed concerns that Australia’s involvement in the Aukus defense pact could lead to the country losing its military autonomy and effectively becoming the “51st state” of the United States. In an interview on ABC’s 7.30, Keating criticized the alliance with the US and the UK, arguing that it positions Australia as a target for aggression due to its stance against China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

He claimed that Australia had no real issues with China and dismissed worries about China’s ambitions regarding Taiwan, referring to Taiwan as “Chinese real estate.”

Keating suggested that Aukus is more about American interests than Australian security, accusing the US of turning Australia into a strategic outpost with American bases rather than Australian ones and Australia will be “51st state” of the United States.

He argued that if Australia were not part of Aukus, it would not need to defend its position and would be better off without what he perceives as aggressive American influence. He maintained that Australia is fully capable of defending itself and does not require American protection.

Keating’s remarks come as Defense Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong are in Washington discussing the pact and a new agreement for transferring nuclear material to Australia.

This agreement marks a significant step in the Aukus initiative, allowing the transfer of nuclear materials and facilitating the acquisition of Virginia-class submarines from the US in the 2030s. It also supports the construction of future SSN-Aukus submarines in South Australia.

However, Australian officials have clarified that the agreement will not involve handling spent fuel or high-level radioactive waste from the UK or the US, nor will it require Australia to enrich uranium or process spent nuclear fuel.