As first reported in the SMH yesterday, Australia quietly sent the second $800m installment to the US for Aukus. That brings our contribution to the US’s shipyards and associated production to $1.6b. This money is supposed to help the US ramp up it’s production, but as Emma Shortis pointed out yesterday, it would need to increase its production fourfold in order to meet its own production needs, and ours. Which is as unlikely as me resisting chocolate.

So are we potentially just giving that money to the US for nothing? Well, thanks for asking – of course we are! The US can turn around at anytime and say no submarines for you, but thanks for your money in helping to build ours. Huzzah!

Now the AFR reports, citing a government source, that Australia is about to lift the restrictions on US beef to try and get some movement on the tariffs. Which were applied for no reason.

As the Fin reports:

A government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, insisted the move, which was communicated to the US government overnight Wednesday (AEST), was based on scientific advice following a review of the restrictions initiated more than 18 months ago, before Donald Trump was elected president for a second term.

So cool beans then. Have we considered just making Australia the 51st state officially?