Why Richard Marles Backs the U.S. War Machine

By Denis Hay  

Description

Richard Marles backs the U.S. military power on Australian soil. Discover how it risks our sovereignty, and what citizens can do to reclaim it.

Introduction – A Quiet Coup Over Australia’s Defence

Location: Tindal, Northern Territory. Action: A U.S. B-52 bomber roars overhead. Thoughts: “Are we a launchpad for war?” Emotions: Unease, betrayal.

It’s 2025. As Defence Minister Richard Marles smiles beside a Pentagon official, another defence deal is signed. Few Australians notice. Even fewer understand its implications. Our government says it’s about ‘defending democracy.’ But whose democracy, and against what threat?

While China is still our biggest trading partner, we’re warned of its menace. Meanwhile, U.S. troops, bombers, and weapons quietly embed themselves deeper into our soil. This isn’t protection, it’s occupation by consent.

How did we end up here? And why is it that Richard Marles backs the U.S. military over Australia’s sovereign interests?

Problem: The Erosion of Australian Sovereignty

A Defence Strategy Written in Washington

Since becoming Defence Minister, Richard Marles has overseen a shift that aligns Australia more closely with U.S. military goals than ever before. The 2021 USFPI agreement expanded joint military operations.

Billions have since been given to help U.S. base upgrades in Darwin and Tindal, alongside hosting U.S. nuclear-capable planes.

This is yet another example of how Richard Marles backs the U.S. military agenda, prioritising American strategic interests over national independence.

“It’s not just alliance cooperation, it’s dependence,” says defence analyst Dr. Alison Broinowski.

The Permanent U.S. Footprint

• U.S. bases in Australia: Pine Gap, Robertson Barracks, and now expanded northern airfields. Ref: How US Military Bases in Australia Threaten Our Future & How to Remove Them
• Rotating forces: Thousands of U.S. Marines cycle through annually, training for potential regional conflicts.
• Infrastructure: Funded by Australian public money for U.S. strategic benefit.

Public Money, Private Empire

Under Marles’ leadership, defence spending reached 2.4% of GDP in 2024. That’s over $60 billion, more than education or climate resilience combined. But this isn’t public defence, it’s public subsidy for the U.S. military-industrial complex.

This is precisely how Richard Marles backs the U.S. military, not just with rhetoric, but with billions in public funds diverted from services Australians urgently need.

The Manufactured ‘China Threat’

A Convenient Villain

There is no evidence that China poses a military threat to Australia. Defence intelligence reports confirm no plans for invasion or aggression. Yet headlines scream of ‘Chinese expansionism,’ fuelling fear and compliance.

Who Benefits?

• Weapons contractors profit from panic.
• U.S. hegemony is preserved through Australian complicity.
• Political careers thrive on appearing ‘tough on China.’

“The U.S. has surrounded China with 200+ military bases,” notes historian John Pilger. “China has none outside its borders. Who’s the aggressor here?”

Real Consequences for Australians

Story: Emily, a nurse in Perth, struggles to afford rent. Her hospital is understaffed. Meanwhile, Marles commits $368 billion for nuclear submarines, years away from delivery, if ever.

“Why do we always find money for war, but never for nurses?” Emily asks.

Because Richard Marles backs the U.S. military, while ignoring the suffering of frontline workers like Emily.

The Labor Right: A Party Captured by Foreign and Corporate Interests

Richard Marles and the Rise of Labor’s Conservative Core

Richard Marles is a senior figure in the Labor Right, a faction increasingly indistinguishable from the Liberal Party on core issues such as defence, foreign policy, and trade.

Rather than upholding the Labor tradition of peace, workers’ rights, and democratic independence, the right faction embraces military alliances and market orthodoxy.

Their influence is evident in Labor’s full-throated support for AUKUS, Marles’ open enthusiasm for U.S. military integration is no coincidence – Richard Marles backs the U.S. military model as central to Labor’s right-faction ideology, and the suppression of internal dissent from more progressive voices within the party.

“Marles speaks more like a U.S. Pentagon spokesperson than an Australian minister,” notes a former Labor policy adviser.

How the Right Faction Is Reshaping Labor

This shift reflects how Richard Marles backs the U.S. military, pushing Labor further from its peace-promoting roots.

• Suppresses internal debate on AUKUS, Palestine, and climate.
• Aligns with corporate donors, including arms manufacturers.
• Stifles progressive legislation, watering down meaningful reforms.

The result? A Labor Party that once represented workers and peace is now compromised and cautious, often at the expense of sovereignty and social justice.

A Peaceful, Sovereign Path Forward

Reclaiming Foreign Policy Independence

• End the U.S. military presence on Australian soil.
• Cancel or renegotiate treaties that erode autonomy.
• Prioritise diplomacy over deterrence.

Invest in Public Needs, Not Foreign Conflicts

Redirect defence billions to:

• Fully fund Medicare.
• End homelessness.
• Provide free tertiary education.

Australia, as a sovereign nation with currency-issuing power, can fund peace just as easily as it funds war. The real limitation is a lack of political will, not a shortage of money.

Learn from Global Examples

• Costa Rica abolished its military in 1948. Today, it ranks among the world’s happiest and healthiest nations.
• Finland and Switzerland remain militarily neutral but are globally respected.

“We must stop being a staging post for other nations’ wars,” says Senator David Shoebridge.

Marles, the U.S., and Our Crossroads

For decades, Australia walked a delicate line, partner to the U.S., yet proudly sovereign. That line is vanishing.

Richard Marles has accelerated Australia’s subservience to U.S. military interests under the guise of strategic cooperation. But what we face is not defence, it’s deterrence at the cost of independence.

This is the inevitable outcome when Richard Marles backs the U.S. military without accountability or public consent.

And it’s happening with full ministerial approval, Richard Marles backs the U.S. military posture without public scrutiny or debate.

It’s time Australians asked: Who does our government really serve?

Q&A – Reader Questions Answered

Q1: Does China pose a real threat to Australia?

A: No. Independent defence reports and strategic assessments have found no sign that China has plans or intentions to launch military aggression against Australia. The narrative of a ‘China threat’ is primarily driven by geopolitical rhetoric and media fearmongering, rather than facts on the ground. Defence briefings and independent analysis show no strategic intent or capability for Chinese aggression against Australia. The threat narrative is manufactured.

Q2: What is Australia’s role in U.S. wars?

A: Australia has supported every major U.S. conflict since WWII, often unquestionably because Richard Marles backs the U.S. military model as essential to our defence outlook. Many of which were considered illegal under international law, including Iraq and Vietnam.

Today, Richard Marles backs the U.S. military with the same blind loyalty, continuing a dangerous tradition of automatic alignment.

Q3: Can Australia fund peace instead of war?

A: Absolutely. Australia’s monetary sovereignty means it can issue currency to fund health, education, and housing, just as it funds submarines and bases.

Question for Readers

Do you believe Australia’s defence policy should serve the people or the Pentagon?

Disclaimer

This article reflects the author’s analysis and opinion based on publicly available information. It is intended to contribute to informed public debate on matters of national interest.

Call to Action

Curious what others think? Please read what our readers are saying on our Reader Testimonials page.

If you found this article insightful, explore more on political reform and Australia’s monetary sovereignty at Social Justice Australia.

Share this article with your community to help drive the conversation toward a more just and equal society.

Click on our Reader Feedback page.}

Please let us know how our content has inspired you. Submit your testimonial and help shape the conversation today!

Additionally, leave a comment about this article below.

If you value our work, please leave a quick Google Review here and help others discover us.

Support Social Justice Australia – Help Keep The Platform Running

Social Justice Australia is committed to delivering independent, in-depth analysis of critical issues affecting Australians. Unlike corporate-backed media, we rely on our readers to sustain this platform.

If you find value in our content, consider making a small donation to help cover the costs of hosting, maintenance, and continued research. No matter how small, every contribution makes a real difference in keeping this site accessible and ad-free.

💡 Your support helps:

✅ Keep this website running without corporate influence

✅ Fund research and publishing of articles that challenge the status quo

✅ Expand awareness of policies that affect everyday Australians

💰 A one-time or monthly donation ensures Social Justice Australia stays a strong, independent voice.

🔗 Donate Now

Thank you for being part of this movement for truth and justice.

This article was originally published on Social Justice Australia 

See also:

 

Dear reader, we need your support

Independent sites such as The AIMN provide a platform for public interest journalists. From its humble beginning in January 2013, The AIMN has grown into one of the most trusted and popular independent media organisations.

One of the reasons we have succeeded has been due to the support we receive from our readers through their financial contributions.

With increasing costs to maintain The AIMN, we need this continued support.

Your donation – large or small – to help with the running costs of this site will be greatly appreciated.

You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969