Aukus is among Australia’s worst foreign policy decisions and requires ‘heroic’ optimism, Gareth Evans says

Gareth Evans, former Australian foreign affairs minister, stated on Thursday that the Aukus security pact represents one of Australia's most detrimental foreign policy decisions. He presented this view in evidence to an independent public inquiry concerning the $368 billion nuclear submarine agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom. Evans argued that the transfer and construction of submarines to Australia, scheduled to commence in the early 2030s, essentially serves as an extension of the American military fleet rather than a genuine enhancement of Australia's independent defence capabilities. He further posited that Donald Trump's apparent support for Aukus is primarily motivated by a desire to neutralize Chinese nuclear threats directed at the US mainland. Evans characterized the belief that the US would automatically defend Australia in the event of an existential attack as a "ludicrous delusion," suggesting that such optimism requires "heroic" levels of self-deception. His critique implies a significant re-evaluation of Australia's strategic alliances and defence investments is necessary.