Paul Keating savages AUKUS nuclear submarine deal as Labor's worst since conscription
ABCFormer prime minister Paul Keating has taken aim at Australia's AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal with the United States and the United Kingdom, calling it the "worst international decision" by a Labor government since conscription in World War I. Key points: The AUKUS deal will see Australia spend up to $368 billion to acquire nuclear-powered submarines Mr Keating has dubbed it one of the worst deals in history He insists Australia should draw closer to China than to the United States and the United Kingdom 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 Mr Marles and Senator Wong "seriously unwise ministers". The nuclear-powered submarines will replace Australia's ageing diesel-powered Collins Class submarines, which Mr Keating took credit at the National Press Club for acquiring with then-Labor defence minister Kim Beazley. Mr Marles also defended Senator Wong against Mr Keating's assessment of her time as foreign minister, arguing she has done a "great deal" to repair international relations in the Pacific region.
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'AUKUS nuclear submarine deal doesn't mean Australia will side with US against China'
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Australian PM rejects Chinese criticism of nuclear sub deal
Associated PressChina condemns AUKUS pact, Tony Abbott flags a 'common danger', Kevin Rudd urges caution
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