Wouldn’t be surprised to hear about Australian officials having profound misgivings around AUKUS behind closed doors, but our defence policy in recent years threw so many more eggs into the US alliance basket that it’s become “too big to fail” and “too late to change”, while our politics are stuck in such a narrow comfort zone (e.g. tax increases being taboo) that the changing conditions are likely to be met with a state of denial or crossing of fingers rather than bold adaptation.

If I had to put money on it I’d say you’re right, though can’t find confirmation. Had looked up that actor previously and didn’t look like a match so ruled him out, but now I see other pics of him that do resemble the character, and the Marine Major he’s listed as does appear consistent with being an XO.