Pillar two of AUKUS is a “science fiction” American invention designed to lure nations into a strategic alliance against China, former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr has argued in a foreign policy forum in Wellington.
Today, Carr and other AUKUS critics gathered in the Kiwi capital to rail against New Zealand’s involvement in the military pact.
Carr, Australia’s foreign minister from 2012-13, joined with former prime ministers Helen Clark, of New Zealand, and Enele Sopoaga, of Tuvalu, to argue AUKUS makes the Pacific less safe.
Former foreign minister and NSW premier Bob Carr lashed the AUKUS pact in New Zealand.Credit: James Alcock
Under the primary AUKUS pact, Australia would receive nuclear-powered submarines from the UK and US in an attempt to shore up Australian security at a cost of hundreds of billions of dollars.
The New Zealand government is actively considering membership of pillar two of the alliance, as are like-minded countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Canada.
Under pillar two, AUKUS members would develop and share advanced military capabilities such as AI, quantum and hypersonic technologies.
The former foreign minister said the secondary pillar was “concocted to rope (others) in to an anti-Chinese alliance”.
“I don’t want to appal the diplomats present by using a vulgarism, but it’s pure bullshit ... Pillar two is fragrant, methane-wrapped bullshit,” he said.
AAP