Former Australian PM Keating Issues Fresh Attack on AUKUS Deal

Former Australian PM Keating Issues Fresh Attack on AUKUS Deal
Former Prime Minister Paul Keating appears virtually to address the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, Nov. 10, 2021. AAP Image/Lukas Coch
AAP
By AAP
Updated:

Former prime minister Paul Keating has fired a fresh torpedo at the AUKUS deal, claiming Defence Minister Richard Marles has changed his argument to justify the submarine purchases.

Keating, who has been publicly critical of the $368 billion (US$245 billion) deal, said in an opinion article the government had shifted the need for the vessels from protecting the country from invasion, to instead needing to protect sea lanes for trade.