‘Honest’ Dutton goes on defence

DEFENCE Minister Peter Dutton has rebuked accusations Australia lied to its French counterparts as the fallout over a decision to tear up a contract for submarines continues.

On Thursday, Australia announced it would sign a new security pact, known as AUKUS, with the UK and US.

The deal means Canberra would turn its back on a $90bn contract with France’s Naval Group in order to acquire eight nuclear submarines.

The agreement has caused furore from the French over claims Australia did not inform Paris of the deal prior to its announcement.

But Mr Dutton (inset) insisted the Australian government had been “upfront, open and honest” about their ongoing concerns with the French submarine program.

“We can understand of course, the French are upset at the cancellation of a contract but in the end, our job is to act in our national interest,” Mr Dutton told Sky News on Sunday morning.

“Suggestions that the concerns hadn’t been flagged by the Australian government, just defy, frankly, what’s on the public record and certainly what we’ve said publicly over a long period of time.

“The government has had those concerns, and we’ve expressed them.

“We’ve been open about our concerns and we’ve been open about the fact we need to act in our national interest … given the changing circumstances in the Indo-Pacific.”

Mr Dutton also confirmed Australia could consider leasing or purchasing existing submarines from the US or UK to bridge the gap until the nation’s homemade submarines are delivered in late 2030.

“Already, I’ve met with a number of my counterparts here from the secretary down in terms of those that are making decisions and we will have further discussions with the Brits as well,” Mr Dutton said.

However, just an hour later on Insiders, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham indicated that may not be the case. Instead, Australia would likely remain reliant on other “joint operations” with other nations.

“Doing that wouldn’t necessarily increase … the number of submarines and the capability across all of the partner nations.

“But doing so may provide opportunities for us to train our sailors, provide the skills and knowledge in terms of how we operate,” he said.

“I expect that we will see, whether it is lease arrangements or whether it is greater joint operations between our navies in the future that sees our sailors working more closely and indeed, potentially on UK and US vessel tolls get that skills and training and knowledge.”

The Defence Minister’s comments followed an extraordinary decision from the French government to recall their ambassadors to Australia and the US.

In an interview with French television, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian hit out at Canberra and Washington for lying and warned of a “serious crisis” between the allies.

“There has been lying, duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt,” Le Drian told France 2.