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Australian govt lashes out after Peter Dutton reveals US nuclear subs plan
Peter Dutton, who left office as defence minister a few weeks ago after his conservative coalition lost elections, disclosed his previously secret plans to choose the US Virginia-class submarines.
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Australia's Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton announces measures against online sexual exploitation on March 5, 2020 during a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington,DC. (Agence France Presse/Mandel Ngan)
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ustralia's government lashed out at "loose" comments by the former defence minister Thursday, after he revealed sensitive plans to buy US nuclear-powered submarines over their British rivals.
Peter Dutton, who left office as defence minister a few weeks ago after his conservative coalition lost elections, disclosed his previously secret plans to choose the US Virginia-class submarines.
The multibillion-dollar project is the centrepiece of Australian efforts to toughen its defences in the face of a more belligerent China under President Xi Jinping.
The comments by Dutton, who is now opposition leader, were "damaging to Australia's national interest", said the new defence minister and deputy prime minister, Richard Marles.
"The government has made no decision on the preferred submarine. All options are on the table," he said in a statement sent to AFP.
The choice of contractor -- Britain or the United States -- will have a significant economic impact and would closely enmesh the Australian navy with that of the chosen nation.
Dutton wrote in The Australian that he had planned to buy two Virginia-class submarines from the United States by 2030 and build another eight to bring the total fleet strength to 10.
