AUKUS is a classic case of the “tail wagging the dog". On the back of lies, a constructed inevitability of future conflict and political ambition, Andrew Fowler shows how the Morrison Government might have put the future of Australia’s national security at risk.

Andrew Fowler’s book Nuked: The Submarine Fiasco that Sank Australia’s Sovereignty critically examines the decision by the Australian Government — under the leadership of Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison — to enter into the most expensive military acquisition agreement in Australia’s history. On 15 September 2021, Australia signed a new trilateral security agreement with the US and UK known as AUKUS. The selling point –Australia would acquire nuclear-powered submarines to replace its ageing Collins-class conventionally-powered fleet. The cost? $368 billion – and possibly, the sovereignty of the nation.

Amid a deep web of lies, deception and media spin, Fowler painstakingly unpacks the extensive efforts that Morrison took to deceive the French Government as he concocted a highly secretive plan to acquire nuclear submarines. A mission that, Fowler suggests, has not only led to a massive financial commitment but has ultimately “sunk” Australian sovereignty.

Fowler is well placed to offer such a deeply penetrating account into Australia’s decision to enter AUKUS. He is an award-winning investigative journalist having previously worked for the ABC’s Four Corners and Foreign Correspondent programs. Through interviewing many of the main people involved and talking to sources in Paris, London, Washington and Canberra, Fowler pieces together a devastating account of Australia’s latest military acquisition agreement.

Key themes

Throughout the book, Fowler addresses several key themes from the........

© Pearls and Irritations