March 16, 2023
A former Labor defence minister, the NDIS Minister, and Opposition Leader have all criticised Paul Keating’s scathing attack on the $368 billion AUKUS nuclear powered submarines deal.
Former Labor leader and defence minister Kim Beazley disagreed with Mr Keating’s comments that the security pact represented the “worst decision” a Labor Government had made since World War I and that China posed no threat to Australia or the US.
“I don’t agree with that — no. And I think it’s a good decision that’s been arrived at with detailed consideration,” Mr Beazley said.
“I actually think we need these submarines. It’s a question of their speed and the areas that they have to cover.”
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten accused Mr Keating of living in the past, saying China had changed since 1991 and 1996 when he was prime minister.
“He (Mr Keating) is entitled to have his point of view,” Mr Shorten said. “I think the strategic nature of China has changed in the last year. They’re not the same China they were in the 90s.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton reiterated bipartisan support for the AUKUS deal, but said there was “clearly division within the Labor Party”.
“There is no question that . . .the hard left with the Labor Party, which Mr Albanese led for years and years, they have a real hesitation — a real doubt (about AUKUS) and no doubt that has been expressed by Paul Keating,” Mr Dutton said.
“There are of course people, including Jim Chalmers and Richard Marles himself, who make great claims to the . . . mentoring relationship that they have with Paul Keating.
They obviously meet with him regularly. If Paul Keating’s prepared to say this in public, what is he saying to senior Labor members in private?”
Shadow cyber security minister James Paterson lashed Mr Keating’s view on the AUKUS deal, saying: “(This was) an unhinged spray at his friends and former colleagues in the Labor Party, an attack on our closest allies and friends, the United States, the United Kingdom and also India.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to answer questions about Mr Keating’s comments from journalists travelling with him on his return from San Diego on Wednesday.
