AUKUS revamped: Australia to indemnify US and UK against 'any liability' from nuclear risks (www.sbs.com.au)

submitted 1 month ago by MHLoppy@fedia.io to c/australianpolitics@aussie.zone

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Key Points

The three countries party to the AUKUS deal signed a new agreement in Washington last week.

Documents tabled in parliament on Monday revealed several key elements of the revamped agreement.

Australia will indemnify the US and UK from any 'liability' arising from nuclear risks related to the program.

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[-] NaevaTheRat@vegantheoryclub.org 10 points 1 month ago

This entire thing is insane. We are being used by the usa as a protectorate. Being shaken down for quick cash, thrown in the firing line.

Meanwhile arming up with these gets the pac islands offside (which is explicitly counter to current defense posture) and pours a bit of petrol on a tense sitch.

Absolutely fuck this insane plant cooked up by a Bible bashing trumpist and a few cookers in the department of war.

[-] MHLoppy@fedia.io 10 points 1 month ago

The United States or the United Kingdom could exit the AUKUS agreement to provide nuclear-powered submarines with Australia with a year's notice under a new arrangement.

This part sounds pretty fucking crazy. What would we do, go back and beg the French for the old plan again lmao?

[-] NaevaTheRat@vegantheoryclub.org 23 points 1 month ago

lmfao it gets better: https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/aukus-no-refund-for-9-4-billion-gift-to-us-uk-submarine-companies/

Sen Shoebridge: What if the United States determines not to give us a nuclear submarine? Is there a clawback provision in the agreement?

VADM Mead: That’s a hypothetical and I’m not going to entertain…

Sen Shoebridge: I’m not asking about hypotheticals. I’m asking about what’s in the agreement. Is there a clawback provision in the agreement?

VADM Mead: The US has committed to transferring two nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.

Sen Shoebridge. You know that’s not my question VADM. I’m asking right now, as we sit here, is there a provision in the agreement that we get our money back if the US doesn’t live up to its side of the bargain? Surely you included that? Are you telling me you didn’t?