‘Not the deal promised’: Labor’s Ed Husic questions Aukus pact that will deliver secondhand subs

<p>Former frontbencher launches most significant internal criticism of $368bn Aukus deal since ALP national conference in 2023</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/jun/02/australia-politics-live-one-nation-minimum-wage-case-labor-coalition-anthony-albanese-angus-taylor-question-time-senate-estimates-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Australia needs a backup plan for the Aukus submarine agreement, Labor MP Ed Husic has warned, arguing sluggish American production and the “transactional nature” of the Trump administration have put the multi-billion-dollar defence deal at risk.</p><p>The defence minister, Richard Marles, this week agreed to US requests for Australia to accept three second-hand Virginia-class nuclear submarines, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/31/aukus-australia-to-buy-only-secondhand-virginia-class-submarines-from-us-significant-cost-savings-richard-marles">rather than a combination of new and old vessels</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/02/aukus-submarines-subs-secondhand-labor-ed-husic-response">Continue reading...</a>