“Australia’s Government has put the interests of the US alliance before protection of its own citizens, writes Malcolm Fraser.”

“It is clear the Australian Government has determined that Australia’s interests will be best served by avoiding any argument with the US and supporting American policy. This change in Australian foreign policy is even more fundamental than the Government’s announcements some weeks ago would indicate. It goes to the heart of what we are about as an independent nation. It raises more starkly than ever the question of identity and purpose.
Are we indeed able to stand for Australians who may need the protection of their nationality? The present answer is clear: not if such actions cut across relations with the United States.”

“There is only one country on whom Australians can rely absolutely. That is Australia itself. That capacity should never be prejudiced or diminished by other relationships.”

“Even if the war on Afghanistan did not, the war on Iraq has arguably made the pursuit of the “war on terror” more difficult. The US has dissipated the friendship generated in September 2001. We have made ourselves the closest of allies in this “war”, and have supported strategies that make its success more difficult. America’s enemies will unnecessarily become Australia’s enemies.”

“The US is not prepared to comply with international law carefully drafted and supported by legal authorities from many countries. It is prepared to assert, and I believe to enforce, its law well beyond normal US jurisdiction, if America perceives this to be in its interests.
Do we really serve Australia’s interests by such uncritical support and by such an apparent loss of our own sense of purpose and independence?”
(The Age)