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AUKUS deal slammed as 'one of worst policy decisions'
Gareth Evans says the $368 billion submarine plan could fail and urges the Albanese government to prepare a cheaper fallback option.
- On Thursday, former Labor foreign minister Gareth Evans told an independent public inquiry that Australia's $368 billion submarine plan is "more likely than not to prove one of the worst defence and foreign policy decisions" the nation has made.
- Under AUKUS Pillar One, Australia plans to purchase three used Virginia-class submarines from the United States before developing the new SSN-AUKUS fleet, though evidence reinforces skepticism regarding timely delivery of the eight promised boats.
- Describing the project as "misconceived from the outset" and a "compliant cash cow," Evans argued it limits Australia's sovereign agency while generating more risk than reward for national security.
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong defended the pact, stating, "This is not an academic exercise or a theoretical procurement exercise," as the Albanese government remains determined to deliver the deal endorsed at Labor's national conference.
- Citing a UK House of Commons committee report on funding shortfalls, Evans urged the Albanese government to develop a fallback plan, suggesting Australia consider conventional submarines from France, Germany, or Japan.
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Sydney Morning Herald+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
‘Don’t blow this opportunity’: Labor legends split over AUKUS
Gareth Evans, who served as foreign minister from 1988 to 1996, used the first day of hearings at a public inquiry into AUKUS to savage the nuclear-powered submarine plan as “misconceived from the outset”, arguing it has made Australia a “compliant cash cow” to the United States and United Kingdom.
·North Sydney, Australia
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AUKUS and the case for no submarines
The case for AUKUS rests on treating submarines as essential to Australian sovereignty, while ignoring the broader defence capabilities that already protect Australia’s maritime approaches and raise serious questions about whether new submarines are needed at all.
·Australia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Left
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left
43% Left
L 43%
C 29%
R 28%
Factuality
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