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

Australia’s preference was always to receive secondhand nuclear powered submarines under the Aukus deal, defence officials have revealed, prompting the Coalition to question if the original arrangement was “imposed” on the Albanese government. The defence secretary, Meghan Quinn , was grilled at Senate estimates on Tuesday night about the announcement t hat Australia would buy three used Virginia-class submarines from the US rather than a combination of new and old vessels. Under questioning from the shadow defence minister, James Paterson , Quinn said it was a “joint idea” from Australia and the US to rework the deal. Pressed on which country proposed the alternative plan first, Quinn said: double quotation mark Australia’s position is that we would have always … had a preference for three in-service (submarines). A surprised Paterson asked why the Albanese government accepted the original deal if that wasn’t its preference. double quotation mark They imposed a new submarine on us and said you must take a new submarine even if you want three in-service? Quinn replied: double quotation mark 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.