Published: June 2, 2026 ⹠10:44 AM IST · Updated: June 2, 2026 ⹠10:54 AM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points
Australia needs a backup plan for the Aukus submarine agreement, Labor MP Ed Husic has warned, arguing sluggish American production and the âtransactional natureâ of the Trump administration have put the multi-billion-dollar defence deal at risk.
The defence minister, Richard Marles, this week agreed to US requests for Australia to accept three second-hand Virginia-class nuclear submarines, rather than a combination of new and old vessels.
Husic spoke out during a closed-door meeting of the Labor caucus on Tuesday.
It was the most significant internal criticism of the $368bn deal â agreed by the Morrison government in 2021 and endorsed by the then-Labor opposition â since heated debate at the ALP national conference three years ago.
Labor ultimately continued its support of the multi-decade pact.
Published June 2, 2026.
Quick Summary
Australia needs a backup plan for the Aukus submarine agreement, Labor MP Ed Husic has warned, arguing sluggish American production and the âtransactional natureâ of
Why It Matters
This development is important because it may impact public opinion, policy decisions, and future developments related to âNot the deal promisedâ: Laborâs Ed Husic questions Aukus pa.
Key Takeaways
Australia needs a backup plan for the Aukus submarine agreement, Labor MP Ed Husic has warned, arguing sluggish American production and the âtransactional natureâ of the Trump administration have put the multi-billion-dollar defence deal at risk.
The defence minister, Richard Marles, this week agreed to US requests for Australia to accept three second-hand Virginia-class nuclear submarines, rather than a combination of new and old vessels.
Husic spoke out during a closed-door meeting of the Labor caucus on Tuesday.
It was the most significant internal criticism of the $368bn deal â agreed by the Morrison government in 2021 and endorsed by the then-Labor opposition â since heated debate at the ALP national conference three years ago.
Labor ultimately continued its support of the multi-decade pact.