Arabic version: رَد ينتقد هانسون ويدعم غواصات أوكوس

According to ABC News, former prime minister Kevin Rudd said One Nation leader Pauline Hanson had no practical policy answers and was trading in the politics of division. Speaking to 7.30 from London, Rudd also discussed AUKUS, China, Taiwan and US President Donald Trump.

Rudd, now global president of the US-based Asia Society, said Hanson’s political approach had not changed since she emerged in Queensland more than a quarter of a century ago. He contrasted protest politics with what he described as the difficult work of government, including national security, the economy, environmental sustainability, services and housing affordability.

On defence, Rudd supported Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement. He said China’s growing submarine fleet and surface fleet made stronger Australian naval capabilities important for maintaining the country’s sovereign interests in the Indo-Pacific.

Rudd said China had 60 to 75 submarines, including 15 to 20 nuclear-powered vessels, while its surface fleet stood at about 370 boats. He said the US surface fleet had about 290 operational ships, and described the AUKUS submarines as significant additions to Australia’s overall defence capabilities.

He also renewed concerns about Taiwan, citing Xi Jinping’s expected return as Communist Party general secretary in October 2027, Taiwan’s presidential election in January 2028, and the strength of Trump’s deterrence posture. Rudd said the US Pacific Command, led by Admiral Samuel Paparo, was central to sustaining US deterrence over Taiwan.