Malcolm Turnbull fires up over PM’s nuclear subs pact with US, UK

Malcolm Turnbull has fired a broadside at the Morrison government’s nuclear submarines deal, saying the “hyperbole around AUKUS has been dialled up to 11”.

Malcolm Turnbull has fired a broadside at the Morrison government’s deal to acquire nuclear powered submarines, saying that the “hyperbole around the new AUKUS partnership has been dialled up to 11”.

Writing in the Nine newspapers, the former prime minister, who in 2016 signed the now-scuttled deal with France for slower, noisier diesel subs to be built in Adelaide, said that the new deal would leave us out of pocket and unprotected.

“There is no design, no costing, no contract. The only certainty is that we won’t have new submarines for 20 years and their cost will be a lot more than the Attack class submarine the first of which was to be in the water by 2032,” Turnbull said.

Sub broadside.... former PM Malcolm Turnbull.

The former prime minister also complained that it was very likely that the procurement of nuclear powered submarines would lead to an onshore civil nuclear industry to help maintain them – though this is something that many in the Coalition have been seeking for years.

Writing of his government’s examination of the nuclear office during his time in office, Turnbull said, “Our advice, confirmed by US Navy nuclear engineers, was that Australia could not operate a sovereign nuclear submarine fleet without the civil nuclear industry needed to support its maintenance.

Scott Morrison with US President Joe Biden and UK PM Boris Johnson announce the AUKUS alliance. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage

Then PM Malcolm Turnbull with French President Emmanuel Macron in 2018.

“There is no country with a nuclear navy that does not have a civil nuclear industry.”

However the French submarine deal was roundly criticised for cost overruns and delays and for being based on an unworkable procurement model that preferenced building the boats in Adelaide to shore up Coalition support in key seats like Sturt.

It was at the time also considered a diplomatic gaffe that caused grave offence to Japan, whose security co-operation is vital to maintaining the balance of power in the Pacific.

“There is no country with a nuclear navy that does not have a civil nuclear industry,” Turnbull wrote.

However, Turnbull also conceded that there would be advantages to a nuclear fleet.

“In 2040, if we have the first of a nuclear-powered submarine fleet, that will be a good development in that the submarine will have range and capabilities a diesel/electric boat does not,” he said.

“But the way we are getting there has been clumsy, deceitful and costly. Too many questions are not being asked, and fewer answered. The blustering attempts to wedge those who seek answers do not serve our national interest.”