David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

This motion, of course, seeks a referral to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee so that that committee can seek public submissions and review the AUKUS fiasco that both Labor and the coalition have taken Australia into. There are many reasons to review the AUKUS deal, but I think one of the most pressing is the recent critical minerals deal that is underpinned by AUKUS. As Greens, we recognise that the world's critical minerals and rare earths will be necessary for the renewable energy future. We recognise that Australia has an important role to play in the global supply of critical minerals and rare earths.

But, of course, when Donald Trump—who pats Defence Minister Marles and Prime Minister Albanese on their respective heads when he looks to Australia—the United States military and some tech bros in the United States look to Australia, to our critical minerals and to our rare earths, they see supplies for their weapons industry and supplies for their tech bros and they are absolutely not seeing Australia's critical minerals for the renewable energy future we need.

What has the Albanese government done? The Albanese government has said, 'Yes, absolutely.' They are absolutely willing to amend our nature laws to allow a so-called national interest exemption to allow First Nations land to be ripped apart, despoiled, so that critical minerals can be extracted and given to the Trump administration not for renewable energies but for their weapons and for their tech bros. AUKUS is ripping this country apart, and we're being sold to the US. That's why we need a review. (Time expired)

(Quorum formed)