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Beazley’s Warning on Political Extremism
Former deputy prime minister Kim Beazley has issued a stark warning regarding the political trajectory of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party, stating that its potential entry into government would constitute a "total disaster" for Australia.
Speaking to 7NEWS podcast The Issue, Beazley, who served as Australia’s ambassador to the United States, emphasized that electing One Nation risks transforming the nation into an "outsider" and a "pariah" on the international stage. The former deputy prime minister cited One Nation’s recent surge in polling numbers as a primary driver for his concern.
Beazley noted that if current polling trends hold through to the next federal election, Hanson’s party would be positioned to play at least a role in government. He argued that such a political shift sends a message of "routine insults" to approximately two billion people within Australia's regional sphere during debates on immigration.
The 77-year-old former politician, who lost Labor’s federal leadership and announced his departure from active politics 20 years ago, stated that he misses the political arena "only every day." However, it is One Nation’s rising influence that currently fuels his political engagement. He warned that any country adopting political extremes "has had it," implying a fundamental instability in such governance models.
Defense of AUKUS and Submarine Acquisition
During the same interview, Beazley addressed the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) security partnership, specifically defending the acquisition of Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines. He recounted holding talks years prior to purchase these vessels, only to be told by American officials that they were "crown jewels" that Australia would never be allowed near.
Despite this historical resistance, Australia is scheduled to receive up to five submarines in the early 2030s, a timeline that remains pending approval from the U.S. president.
Beazley’s defense of the AUKUS framework stands in contrast to criticisms leveled by other former senior Australian political figures. Former prime minister Paul Keating has previously described AUKUS as a "terrible deal" and "so unfair to Australia," adding that Australia does not need to resemble "a pair of shoes hanging out of the American backside." Similarly, former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has also labeled the agreement a "terrible deal" that is unfair to Australian interests.
While Beazley did not directly engage with Keating or Turnbull’s specific critiques in this segment, his comments underscored the strategic importance he places on the submarine acquisition and the broader alliance structure.
