Adelaide Labor branch feared subs deal ‘aimed at war with China’

Rare leaks reveal how a group of South Australians tried to scuttle the submarine program widely tipped to deliver a rich bounty to Adelaide.

Elements of South Australia’s Labor ranks have descended into mutiny over the country’s landmark $368bn AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal.

In a rare leak ahead of Anthony Albanese’s visit to the Osborne Naval Shipyard on Monday, documents show members of Labor’s Adelaide sub-branch tried to scuttle the submarine program, arguing the project was “aimed at war with China”.

During a sub-branch meeting last month, members debated a strongly worded motion that called on the federal and state governments to withdraw support for the AUKUS submarine deal.

Directly contradicting government policy, supporters claimed the deal between Australia, the United States and Britain would also divert much-needed funding away from health, welfare, education and climate change.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Labor Member for Adelaide Lucy Hood. Picture Dean Martin/Advertiser

In language echoing former prime minister Paul Keating’s opposition to the subs deal, the motion said: “The AUKUS agreement is a further step towards the integration of Australia into US defence and foreign policy, which is transparently aimed at war with China.

“The nuclear-powered submarines – if they are ever built – are not designed to defend Australia but as a part of a ‘forward defence strategy’, aimed primarily at China.”

The motion failed to win support of other sub-branch members.

Another proposal from branch leaders, which was supported by members, said the AUKUS deal was the “most significant defence capability decision made by any Australian government in decades and needs to be carefully managed, particularly in our region”.

It also called for the deal to be “balanced” with other government policies.

“The nuclear-powered submarines are intended to serve as a deterrence and to help preserve peace and prosperity in our region,” the alternative proposal read.

“The sub-branch calls on the Albanese government to ensure the decision enhances Australia’s sovereignty, contributes to the maintenance of a peaceful and prosperous region, delivers skills, know-how and secure jobs for Australians and is balanced against other domestic priorities.”

Sources said the original motion was “resoundingly” defeated in favour of the “tamer” version towing government lines.

Other sources said the leaking of such material was highly unusual because Labor was known for keeping any policy dissent “in house”.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese in Melbourne with the Member-elect for Aston, Mary Doyle. Picture: Valeriu Campan

They said the split being revealed publicly was “viewed as treason” among the Premier’s most senior aides.

The Prime Minister last month announced Australia will spend up to $368bn to deliver a nuclear submarine program featuring at least three boats bought from the US, upgrades to extend the life of existing fleet and eight Australian-made nuclear submarine, which will hit the water from the 2040s.

The long-awaited plan, unveiled at a US naval base in San Diego last month with US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is crucial for regional peace amid increasing Chinese aggression, leaders said.

Mr Malinauskas declined to answer questions, while Adelaide MP Lucy Hood did not return calls.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends a press conference after a trilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during the AUKUS summit in San Diego. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Albanese to go aboard Collins Class at Osborne

By Paul Starick - Exclusive

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will go aboard a Collins Class submarine when he visits Adelaide’s naval shipbuilding headquarters today for the first time since inking a $368bn AUKUS nuclear deal.

Branding the program to build eight nuclear-powered submarines at Osborne Naval Shipyard a “transformational moment”, Mr Albanese said SA would be at “at the epicentre of AUKUS and jobs”.

He will go aboard an Adelaide-built Collins Class submarine, which undergo full-cycle dockings at ASC’s Osborne yard.

Mr Albanese, who will visit the shipyard with Premier Peter Malinauskas, on March 14 joined US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in San Diego to announce Australia would spend up to $368bn to deliver the historic nuclear submarine program. The first stage of the AUKUS security pact features at least three boats bought from the US, upgrades to extend the life of the existing Collins Class fleet and eight Adelaide-made nuclear-powered submarines hitting the water from the 2040s.

“This is a transformational moment – for Australia, South Australia, our Defence Force and our economy,” Mr Albanese said, adding his government was working with SA’s to ensure AUKUS delivered “a generational dividend for South Australians”.

“I’m looking forward to visiting the shipyards and meeting some of the many South Australians who will help build the most complex machinery in history.”

Originally published as Adelaide Labor branch feared subs deal ‘aimed at war with China’