Anger at Peter Dutton's disclosure of AUKUS submarine negotiations with the United States

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's decision to divulge sensitive discussions with the United States on acquiring nuclear-powered submarines has sparked concern that he may have jeopardised plans for a joint agreement by year's end. Key points: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton used a newspaper opinion piece to say he had been confident of securing two nuclear submarines by 2030 Officials and academics have voiced concern over the decision There are also concerns this may have upset sensitive negotiations over the AUKUS partnership with both the UK and US The former defence minister — and now Opposition Leader — used an opinion piece in The Australian newspaper on Thursday to assert that he was confident of securing two American Viriginia-class nuclear submarines by 2030. Another figure, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Mr Dutton's editorial had "buggered" plans for a joint announcement by the end of the year between Australia, the UK and the US. On Wednesday, the new Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles attacked his predecessor's "loose" comments, saying they undermined the tripartite security agreement between the UK, US and Australia.