The contract to build Australia’s new submarine fleet is expected to be on the agenda when Prime Minister Scott Morrison holds talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Independent senator Rex Patrick – who served 11 years as a navy submariner and worked in the defence industry for two decades – has called for the $90 billion contract with France-based Naval Group to be scrapped, arguing that it is “unsalvageable”. Patrick contends that Australia should move immediately to a Plan B for the contract to replace the Collins-class submarines.
Patrick has also urged the federal government to shelve plans to refurbish the Collins-class vessels, arguing that 10 new submarines could be built for the same price:
