Barnaby Joyce calls for ‘contingency plan' as US reviews AUKUS
Nationals heavyweight Barnaby Joyce is calling for a 'contingency plan' as the US reviews AUKUS.
The $368bn defence pact with the US and the UK is the centrepiece of Australia's defence strategy for the first half of this century.
Under trilateral partnership, Washington has committed to giving Australia at least three Virginia-class submarines starting in 2032.
But sluggish production of the nuclear-powered boats has put the US on track to face a shortage early next decade, casting serious doubt on whether it can follow through without jeopardising its own defence.
Donald Trump can renege on AUKUS commitments if they put US national security at risk.
Mr Joyce was deputy prime minister when Australia signed up to AUKUS under the former Coalition government.
He took aim at the Albanese government's response to the review on Monday.
'We should have a contingency plan, absolutely,' Mr Joyce told Seven.
'As soon as the United States said 'we're reviewing AUKUS', alarm bells should've rung everywhere.
'Hang on, we're not going to be able to defend ourselves.'
The opposition has called on Anthony Albanese to shore up support for AUKUS when he meets the US President on the sidelines of the G7 in Canada.
The Prime Minister over the weekend confirmed his first face-to-face had been 'scheduled' with Mr Trump after the US leader confirmed he was attending the summit.
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