Peter Dutton’s ‘suspicion’ on major military deal involving America

The former defence minister has made a bombshell claim about a military pact involving America and the United Kingdom.

Peter Dutton has sensationally accused Labor of laying the groundwork to walk away from a major security deal with the US and UK.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison signed the AUKUS agreement last year after ripping up a submarine deal with France.

The agreement is set to deliver Australia nuclear-powered submarines.

However, the eight submarines are not set to hit Australian waters for another two decades, setting up a gap between the retirement of the ageing Collins Class feet and their arrival.

Defence Minister Richard Marles has not ruled out procuring conventional submarines — a “Son of Collins” — to use in the interim.

Mr Marles has said he has an open mind to the next steps to address the capability gap. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Mr Dutton, who held the portfolio before the election, questioned the minister’s reasoning.

“There’s a lot of language which is either ill informed, either he hasn’t had the briefings yet or is rejecting the advice,” he told 2GB Radio on Thursday.

“The advice was pretty clear and specific to us.

“If Labor thinks there is a cheap option here to build a new diesel electric submarine … then I think that’s folly.”

Defence’s nuclear submarine task force, led by navy Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, is midway through its 18-month “scoping plan”.

Prior to the election, Mr Dutton revealed the multi-billion deal had been fast tracked and the design decision was not far off.

Mr Dutton has accused Labor of walking away from the AUKUS agreement. Picture Emma Brasier

On Thursday, the opposition leader voiced his support for the American Virginia-class nuclear powered submarines, which he hoped to purchase two of to arrive by 2030.

“I thought we could be in a position to make an announcement around July, August,” Mr Dutton said.

“It was always the intention to not get to the end of the 18 month consultation, but to get parkway through it, make a decision on which submarine we’re going to go with and then use the balance of the 18 months to work out the detail.”

If the Albanese government were to divert from the plan already in motion, it would risk national security, Mr Dutton alleged.

“I hope they can reconsider because they’re making all sorts of excuses at the moment,” he said.

“I always had my suspicion that Labor was never truly supportive of AUKUS … they look like they might be starting to walk down that path.”

But the Defence Minister pointed the finger back at Mr Dutton for undermining the agreement with his “rank” outburst.

“This is rank politics and is completely inconsistent with everything Peter Dutton was doing and saying in government,” Mr Marles said.

“This outburst today, from someone so recently in the chair, is damaging to Australia’s national interest. The comments are loose and undermine the AUKUS agreement.

“The government has made no decision on the preferred submarine. All options remain on the table.”