Former Prime Ministers Split on AUKUS Response as Pentagon Review Sparks Political Divide

Former Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull have taken sharply opposing positions on Australia's response to a Pentagon review of the AUKUS defence agreement, with Morrison defending the partnership while Turnbull warned Thursday that the submarine program may fail and called for alternative plans.

Morrison dismissed concerns about the US Department of Defence review during a television interview, saying he was "not concerned" and describing the process as routine for incoming governments. In contrast, Turnbull published a detailed critique arguing Australia faces receiving "no Virginias at all" and demanding the government develop contingency plans.

"It's totally within their remit that incoming governments do reviews," Morrison told Sky News. "Sir Keir Starmer did a review and that resulted in the UK government being even more committed to AUKUS."

Turnbull took a markedly different stance in a Substack post, warning that US submarine shortages make it unlikely Australia will receive the promised Virginia-class submarines by 2032.

"Right now, the US Navy is about 20 submarines short of what it says it needs and the US industry is building about half as many as they need to replace the submarines that are retiring and build up to their desired number," Turnbull wrote.

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