Former PM Turnbull told to stop ‘throwing grenades’ over AUKUS submarine deal

A former PM is being admonished for “throwing grenades from the sideline” over the AUKUS deal promising thousands of jobs to South Australians.

Malcolm Turnbull has been told to “stop throwing grenades from the sideline” regarding his negative commentary on Australia’s crucial AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, in a withering retort from his former Coalition colleagues.

The Coalition’s assistant defence spokesman Phil Thompson, an ex-serviceman, made the comments following revelations AUKUS-sceptic Mr Turnbull had multiple conversations with the US defence chief heading a review of the $368 billion deal.

“Malcolm Turnbull should take a leaf out of Julia Gillard’s book and show himself to be a statesman, and do what other former PMs have done and … contribute to good policy and charities instead of throwing grenades from the sideline,” Mr Thompson said.

Pictured is Malcolm Turnbull addressing the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Thompson’s comments came after it was revealed Mr Turnbull had previously spoken to the US Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, who has been tasked with the Trump administration’s review of the $368 billion submarine and defence deal, regarding AUKUS.

Mr Turnbull had spoken with Mr Colby multiple times ahead of the latter being appointed undersecretary, according to The Australian.

The former Prime Minister is a long-time sceptic of AUKUS, telling the ABC last month he doubted the production of submarines by the US would ramp up enough to supply Australia in coming years, and claiming the US could withhold submarines from Australia under the deal.

Federal Member for Herbert Phil Thompson. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Defence Minister Richard Marles responded on Tuesday, saying “Malcolm’s position on AUKUS has been very clear from the very beginning … none of it is a surprise in terms of what Malcolm is saying, and it doesn’t surprise me especially that Malcolm is engaging with people around the world”.

Mr Thompson said the deal would be good for manufacturing and tying Australia to US and UK industry.

“If people have a negative slant on it, like former PM Turnbull has, he should put it in a positive way for Australia rather than try and tear it down from the sidelines,” he said.

Deakin Distinguished Professor Matthew Clarke said Mr Turnbull “speaking directly to the US government might be less than helpful for the Australian government, but it’s nothing he hasn’t said before”.

Mr Turnbull was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Former PM Turnbull told to stop ‘throwing grenades’ over AUKUS submarine deal