Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has declined to answer why the federal government's preference for used submarines in the AUKUS deal was not disclosed earlier, as details of the trilateral defence pact face heightened scrutiny. Over the weekend, it was revealed that Australia will receive three second-hand nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines under the $368 billion agreement, instead of the two used and one new vessels originally promised in 2023.
Defence Minister Defends Decision
Defence Minister Richard Marles defended the change, stating that purchasing three second-hand submarines provides a "much simpler pathway." He explained on Sunday that this ensures all Virginia-class submarines acquired by Australia will be of the same type. On Tuesday, defence bureaucrats told a Senate estimates hearing that the alteration was a "joint idea." Defence Secretary Meghan Quinn remarked, "Australia's position is that we would have always had a preference for three in-service submarines." She cited reasons such as training of staff, sustainment arrangements, and maintenance requirements for the government's preference for used submarines.
Finance Minister Dodges Questions
On Wednesday, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher refused to reveal why the government remained tight-lipped about these preferences for over three years since the deal was first announced. Speaking to ABC Radio National, Senator Gallagher said, "These estimates are obviously going through the budget, but this is something that we've been talking about for a long time." She insisted the change was not "significant" and that the deal would still provide the necessary capability to Australia. "The government is committed to AUKUS, and we will be getting three Virginia submarines as originally intended and as confirmed on the weekend," she added.
Backbench MP Calls for Rethink
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy accused critics of a "rewriting of history" after Labor backbencher Ed Husic publicly called for a new caucus vote on the pact's future. Conroy clarified that the 2021 caucus vote was in response to the Morrison government's announcement of an intention to build nuclear-powered submarines in Adelaide, with no mention of Virginia-class submarines at that time. Meanwhile, former Labor environment minister and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett has launched a grassroots AUKUS inquiry, expressing concerns that the deal has not received adequate scrutiny.
