The same-sex marriage plebiscite is taking place next month. If you're planning on voting, take a minute to check you're registered. Enrol here, or update your details here.Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has confirmed that Australia will be following the United States into what seems like an increasingly and distressingly inevitable nuclear war with North Korea. Cool!
On Melbourne radio station 3AW this morning, Turnbull referred to the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security (ANZUS) Treaty that compels Australia to enter battle as an ally of the United States. According to the treaty, Australia and the United States are bound to cooperate in military conflicts in the Pacific Ocean region—although in recent conflicts, like Afghanistan, those supposed geographic limitations have seemed to matter less.
"Australia would come to the aid of the US as America would come to our aid if we were attacked," Turnbull said on air.
"America stands by its allies, including Australia of course, and we stand by the United States… So be very, very clear on that. If there's an attack on the US, the ANZUS Treaty would be invoked and Australia would come to the aid of the United States, as America would come to our aid if we were attacked."
Turnbull also said he had spoken to US Vice President Pence overnight, and that Pence had referred to North Korea's show of military force as "the most dangerous flashpoint in the world today".
On Thursday, President Trump indicated yet again that the US would be prepared to retaliate against any perceived North Korean nuclear threat. As VICE News reports, while speaking to reporters at his New Jersey golf club, Trump added to his previous comments about "fire and fury" by implying that, if anything, such rhetoric was actually too soft."Maybe that statement wasn't tough enough," Trump said. "North Korea better get their act together or they are going to be in trouble like few nations have ever been in trouble."
When a reporter pressed him about what he meant by "trouble", Trump responded with an ominous, "Well, you'll see. You'll see."
For its part, North Korea has announced plans to strike the US territory of Guam sometime this month.
Turnbull offered only the vaguest of assurances that following the United States into a nuclear war would be a final resort.
"[The Vice-President's] view and the view of the administration is that the way to resolve the situation with North Korea … is through these economic sanctions. That's the preferred way to deal with it," he told 3AW.
"But of course if North Korea decides to carry out some of its violent threats then obviously terrible consequences will follow, and there's no point ducking that inevitable consequence."
Start digging that bunker, I guess.Follow Kat on Twitter