Australia to hold talks aimed at entering defence pact with EU
Guardian15 hrs
Australia Discusses Defense With EU, Canada, US at G7 Summit
Above: Anthony Albanese at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on June 10, 2025. Image copyright: Hilary Wardhaugh/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Australia's priority should be to keep AUKUS on track and maintain U.S. confidence in current security agreements. Washington is the only indispensable security partner in the Indo-Pacific, and the Pentagon's current review of the deal should be a wake-up call. Europe can't match America's strategic weight, and distracting deals elsewhere risk weakening what matters most.
Pro-Europe narrative
With AUKUS under review and the U.S. becoming an increasingly unreliable partner, Australia should deepen defense ties with the EU. A partnership with Europe, rooted in shared democratic values and global stability, offers a more balanced and sovereign path. It's time to diversify alliances and prioritize Australia's long-term security interests.
Establishment-critical narrative
Australia's alignment with Western defense agendas drains taxpayer money into distant conflicts and undermines national sovereignty. European powers should not dictate Australian military policy while ongoing AUKUS arrangements continue to unnecessarily antagonize China. Australia must be careful not to put ideology over regional security.