Four SA senators want the federal government to drop plans to buy Adelaide-built submarines

A GROUP of South Australia senators are calling on the federal government to do away with Malcolm Turnbull’s deal to buy 12 Adelaide-built submarines.

• Rex Patrick: Future subs too little, too late and too expensive
• Future Submarines bill hits $100 billion
• $50b Future subs to be built at Osborne

FOUR South Australian crossbench senators want the Morrison Government to torpedo former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s deal to buy 12 Adelaide-built submarines from France’s Naval Group.

Centre Alliance Senator and former navy submariner Rex Patrick argues the Government could save tens of billions of dollars and reduce technical risks if it engages a different international company to design submarines to be built at the Osborne shipyards.

Senator Patrick has been backed by fellow Centre Alliance Senator Stirling Griff, Australian Conservatives founder Cory Bernardi and independent Tim Storer.

Recent government estimates showed the submarines could cost $100 billion to design and build and then sustain throughout their working lives in today’s money.

Mr Turnbull announced in 2016 that DCNS (now known as Naval Group) had been chosen to design and build replacement boats for the ageing Collins Class fleet but final contracts are yet to be signed.

The senators made the call amid slow progress on the finalisation of a “strategic partnering agreement” between France and Australia for the submarine build.

“With the breakdown in negotiations it’s time to walk away from the HMAS Turnbull class submarine and move to a different plan,’’ Senator Patrick said.

“For less than $20 billion Australia could have up to 20 highly capable near off-the-shelf submarines, built in SA, with the build commencing much sooner and modified and enhanced by Australian industry.’’

Defence Minister Christopher Pyne dismissed the criticism and said the submarine project remained on time and on budget.

“There is no delay to the delivery of the Future Submarine, which is scheduled to be in service in the early 2030s,’’ Mr Pyne said.

“Naval Group design was chosen following a competitive evaluation process and was assessed by experts as the best capability for the Australian Defence Force.’’

Some experts believe the final cost would be closer to $200 billion in out-turned dollars, which includes provision for inflation.

Senator Bernardi said the Future Submarine project was turning into a “$200 billion white elephant’’.

“The sensible option is to buy off-the-shelf submarines, have them manufactured in Australia as some of the designers have said they can be, and ensure they can be delivered on time and on budget,’’ Senator Bernardi said.

Senator Storer said he was concerned about the cost of the project, the technology chosen and the security risks of any delay in the boats entering service. Naval Group beat German and Japanese rivals to be chosen to build the submarines.