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Politics live: Australia always preferred secondhand Aukus submarines, defence secretary says

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Australia's preference was always to acquire secondhand nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS deal, defense officials told Senate estimates.
  • Defense Secretary Meghan Quinn stated that a joint decision with the US led to the plan to buy three used Virginia-class submarines.
  • The opposition questioned the government's acceptance of the original deal if used submarines were always preferred.

Australian defense officials revealed that the nation always preferred to acquire secondhand nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS security pact. The revelation came during Senate estimates hearings on Tuesday night.

Australia’s position is that we would have always … had a preference for three in-service (submarines).

— Meghan QuinnExplaining Australia's preference for used submarines under the AUKUS deal.

Defense Secretary Meghan Quinn told the committee that the decision to purchase three used Virginia-class submarines from the United States, rather than a mix of new and old vessels, was a "joint idea" developed with the US. When pressed by Shadow Defense Minister James Paterson on who initiated the shift, Quinn stated Australia had "always had a preference for three in-service submarines."

They imposed a new submarine on us and said you must take a new submarine even if you want three in-service?

— James PatersonQuestioning the government's initial acceptance of the AUKUS submarine deal.

Senator Paterson questioned why the Albanese government had agreed to the original deal if used submarines were the preferred option. Quinn responded that the process was a "joint exercise over many decades, working collaboratively with an alliance partner to deliver a capability which is significant and is very important for Australia’s national defence." She added that three in-service submarines would be simpler and lower-cost regarding training, sustainment, and maintenance.

This is a joint exercise over many decades, working collaboratively with an alliance partner to deliver a capability which is significant and is very important for Australia’s national defence. So there are many reasons why three in-service (submarines) would be simpler, lower-cost through the training of staff, the sustainment arrangements, the maintenance requirements, and all of those considerations.

— Meghan QuinnJustifying the shift to acquiring three in-service submarines.

In a separate development, the University of Melbourne reportedly changed its Wi-Fi terms of use to allow monitoring for "breaches of university policies." A report on campus free speech found the university may have breached privacy laws by surveilling students and staff during a pro-Palestine protest. A university spokesperson stated it is their responsibility to "foster a secure and respectful environment, while upholding compliance with our policies."

The wireless terms of use were r

— University of Melbourne spokespersonResponding to reports about Wi-Fi monitoring.
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Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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