Five years into AUKUS, most Australians still don't understand it
A University of Sydney survey found less than a quarter of Australians believe the government has properly explained the AUKUS rationale.
When Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom launched AUKUS in 2021, defence analyst Hugh White was appalled, calling it barking mad. Five years on, White is far from alone in his scepticism about the multi-billion-dollar nuclear submarine project.
A University of Sydney survey found less than a quarter of Australians believe the government explained the deal properly. White says the government released almost no detail in 2021: no decision on which submarines, no timeline, no price.
You could not debate what was missing because the facts simply were not there. The deal has survived leadership changes and public inquiries in all three countries.
But the US government that signed up looks very different to today's version, White says. AUKUS was a symbol of Australia's commitment to the US.
Under Donald Trump, the US seems less committed to AUKUS itself.
- Less than 25 per cent
- Australians who believe it was
- 5
- Years since AUKUS launch
- Hugh White
- Defence analyst
Why it mattersA poorly understood multi-billion-dollar commitment now looks less certain as US political priorities shift.
AustraliaAustralians are spending billions on submarines most do not understand, at a time when US backing for the deal appears weaker.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 7 d ago
