The former Australian Prime Minister has also delivered a scathing assessment of senior government officials
The “worst deal by an Australian Labor Government since World War One”.
That’s how former Australian PM Paul Keating is describing the AUKUS Alliance.
Keating fired in just about every direction during his appearance at the National Press Club on Wednesday.
He’s lashed out at Australian lawmakers for investing $368 billion for a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines from the U.S.
The former Labor leader also offered a scathing assessment of the government’s most senior politicians, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Defence Minister Richard Marles, and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, dubbing Marles and Senator Wong “seriously unwise ministers”.
Australia will eventually build British-designed nuclear-powered submarines with American combat systems.
Australia will buy at least three U.S. nuclear-powered submarines early next decade — boats that might be second-hand and need U.S. Congressional approval.
The Coalition has endorsed the deal.
“For $360 billion, we’re going to get eight submarines. It must be the worst deal in all history,” Keating said.
