All sides slam Greens’ ‘wacky and delusional’ Defence policy
THE Greens have been slammed by all sides of politics for releasing a “wacky”, “delusional”, and “reckless” defence policy that would cancel AUKUS and cut military spending by 50 per cent just days after China successfully tested a hypersonic weapon capable of landing nuclear weapons anywhere on the globe.
Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of operations in Afghanistan, the Greens on Tuesday said they aimed to slash defence spending, renegotiate the US alliance and sink the recently inked AUKUS subs deal.
“Our Australian Greens Towards Peace plan will renegotiate our alliance with the United States, close all foreign military bases in Australia, reduce defence spending and prioritise peaceful efforts in our region to tackle the climate crisis,” said Greens Senator and “peace spokesman” Jordon Steele-john.
Both Coalition and Labor figures slammed the Greens’ proposals.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton was scathing, saying the Greens were “in appeasement mode,” and suggested Labor must distance themselves from the policy.
“The Greens have demonstrated just how dangerous they are and the threat they pose to the safety and the security of our country,” Mr Dutton said.
Victorian Senator James Paterson, chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security said: “The Greens have wacky views on national security – everyone knows that.
“But thankfully they never get the chance to implement them, unless Labor gives them the green light in government. Last time Labor governed they relied on the Greens to do so – which of these dangerous proposals to undermine our national security will Albo accept?”
Labor meanwhile refused to endorse the Greens’ national security agenda.
“This is a delusional policy from the Greens that fails to fully appreciate the national security challenges Australia confronts, nor the capability the men and women of Defence may need to address those risks,” Labor Defence Spokesman Brendan O’connor said.