Australia's decision to follow the United States into battle in Iraq has contributed to a regional reign of violence waged by Islamic State, Greens leader Richard Di Natale says.
In a wide-ranging speech on Tuesday, Senator Di Natale questioned Australia's blind enthusiasm for its security alliance with the US, saying it could make us more prone to threats.
He said just like Australia followed the US into the disastrous Iraq war in 2003 without any clear objective, it had made the same mistake by committing military resources to fight IS.
"By following the US into air strikes in Syria, we contribute further to destabilisation in a region torn apart by illegal invasion in 2003 and we make Australians less safe," Senator Di Natale told the Lowy Institute in Sydney.
He called for a debate over whether the US security alliance was in Australia's best interests.
"Our unfailing support for the US means Australia is complicit in the horrific consequences borne as a result of these foreign incursions," Senator Di Natale said.
Responding to the remarks, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten reiterated Labor's support for the American alliance.
"I think the Greens have got some silly positions on a whole range of matters," he told reporters in Adelaide.
Comment was being sought from the federal government.
Senator Di Natale said strong bipartisan support for the alliance between Labor and the government meant there was no discussion about the value of the relationship.
"We have bipartisan and unquestioned consensus which I don't think serves us well," he said.
Senator Di Natale said the $50 billion purchase of 12 new submarines, $17 billion for joint strike fighters and the allocation of two per cent of national income to the defence budget were unnecessary.
While in support of modernising Australia's defence capabilities, increased defence spending was not subject to the same scrutiny as education or health budgets in the Greens' view.
It also amounted to billions of dollars Australia wasn't putting into the NBN, schools or hospitals.
"We believe in a defence force that protects Australia, not one that serves to substitute as industry policy and not one that serves the interests of a foreign power," Senator Di Natale said.
He said climate change was a bigger security threat than terrorism and Australia should rescind cuts to foreign aid which would be the best investment in national security.
Share
