Australian submarines: Tony Abbott throws support behind France deal

Tony Abbott supports the decision to award the subs deal to France despite his support as PM for Japanese bid.

A Shortfin Barracuda submarine.

Tony Abbott has given his full support to the cabinet decision to award the 12 submarines to France despite his longstanding support as Prime Minister for the Japanese bid.

The former Prime Minister, who argued strongly on strategic grounds for the appointment of the Japanese as the submarine builders and worked with Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, said the decision flows from the exhaustive and comprehensive evaluation process put in place when he was leader.

“Today’s submarine decision flows from an exhaustive and very comprehensive process put in place by the Abbott government,” Mr Abbott told The Australian.

Mr Abbott took a swipe at the Labor Government saying: “ I am pleased that the shameful procrastination of the Labor years is now over.”

As a proponent of the Japanese bid on the grounds that it would strengthen the trilateral strategic relationship between Australia, Japan and the US, Mr Abbott has been criticised by some of his colleagues for speaking out publicly in support of Australia’s “closest friend” in Asia.

But he said today he believed the relationship was strong enough to withstand the “disappointment”.

“Australia’s special relationship with Japan is more than strong enough to withstand this disappointment and I am confident that our strategic partnership will continue to grow through other means,” Mr Abbott said.