In a significant policy shift, the Australian Greens have announced plans to withdraw from defense agreements with the United States, notably those involving tanks, helicopters, and submarines. This initiative will redirect funding towards the domestic production of drones and missiles, emphasizing a departure from reliance on US military capabilities. Senator David Shoebridge, the party's defense spokesman, critiqued the current strategy as a critical mistake attributing it to overly depending on the US for national defense and labeled US weapons systems as merely supplements to former President Donald Trump's military strategy.
Upon unveiling this strategy on March 22, 2025, Senator Shoebridge stated, “Australia cannot continue to waste money on multi-billion dollar US weapons platforms, designed not to defend Australia but supplement Donald Trump's military.” This reflects a growing sentiment among the Greens that Australian defense capabilities should focus more on self-sufficiency and local production.
The proposed policy shift is set to cancel contracts for acquiring costly and outdated US military equipment such as M1A2 tanks and Black Hawk helicopters. The savings, estimated at $4 billion, would preferentially fund the construction of domestically-made drones and medium to intermediate-range missiles that are deemed essential for Australia’s national self-defense.
This bold step comes alongside concerns surrounding the AUKUS treaty, a trilateral security agreement with the US and the UK, which promises at least three Virginia-class submarines for Australia by the early 2030s. Critics assert that the submarine agreement is primarily a sign of allegiance rather than a strategic defense maneuver, hence fueling calls for a reevaluation of Australia’s defense priorities.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reassured the nation about the stability of the AUKUS agreement, even after President Trump's apparent confusion regarding its importance. “There’s a lot of acronyms in this business,” Albanese noted in February, referring to the complex military partnerships that can often overwhelm even seasoned politicians.
Support for the AUKUS treaty remains strong among opposition leaders. Peter Dutton, the Opposition Leader, has argued that the necessity for the AUKUS agreement is now more pressing than ever, particularly in light of recent global tensions. Should the coalition regain power, they have additionally pledged $3 billion toward the purchase of 28 more F-35A fighter jets from the US.
In a juxtaposed approach, the Greens have introduced a novel initiative aimed at disaster preparedness by proposing a “climate army.” The Climate Response Service is tasked with helping communities cope with devastating natural disasters such as fires, floods, and cyclones. The program aims to coordinate volunteer efforts across Australia while simultaneously imposing higher taxes on coal and gas producers to fund these initiatives. Greens leader Adam Bandt emphasized the dire consequences of climate change, stating, “Coal and gas are fueling these fires and floods, but instead of protecting the community and properly funding the clean-up, Labor and (the Liberals) are making the problem worse by approving over 30 new coal and gas projects.”
Recent natural disasters have highlighted the need for swift responses, with over a dozen defense force members sustaining injuries during recent operations in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales during tropical cyclone Alfred. This incident underlines the urgent demand for improved coordination and support for disaster response teams across all sectors.
The Australian Greens' defense policy change and the launch of the Climate Response Service demonstrate a critical pivot in addressing both national and global challenges. As Australia navigates its political landscape, these strategies reveal a party committed to enhancing self-reliance in defense while simultaneously acknowledging the growing threats posed by climate change.
