AUKUS: This could only end in a very bad place
May 17, 2026 •
This week’s budget shows AUKUS is getting bigger.
The government is putting more money into the agencies, workforce and infrastructure needed for nuclear-powered submarines.
But the deal still relies on the US agreeing to sell them to Australia, and on a Trump administration that has already reviewed AUKUS through an “America First” lens.
And as the program grows, the public still knows very little about what Australia is trading away to keep it alive.
Today, former Director of War Studies for the Australian Army, Dr Albert Palazzo, on the secrecy around AUKUS – and the US military expansion on Australian soil.
This episode was originally published in December 2025.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
AUKUS: This could only end in a very bad place
1918 • May 17, 2026
AUKUS: This could only end in a very bad place
This week’s budget shows AUKUS is getting bigger.
The government is putting more money into the agencies, workforce and infrastructure needed for nuclear-powered submarines.
But the deal still relies on the US agreeing to sell them to Australia, and on a Trump administration that has already reviewed AUKUS through an “America First” lens.
And as the program grows, the public still knows very little about what Australia is trading away to keep it alive.
Today, former Director of War Studies for the Australian Army, Dr Albert Palazzo, on the secrecy around AUKUS – and the US military expansion on Australian soil.
This episode was originally published in December 2025.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Guest: Former Director of War Studies for the Australian Army and adjunct professor at UNSW, Dr Albert Palazzo
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7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.
It’s made by Arielle Richards, Atticus Bastow, Chris Dengate, Daniel James, Krystal Keller, Ruby Jones, Travis Evans and Zoltan Fecso.
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