CANBERRA (London Post with ABC News) DR. Majid Khan -The prime minister has rebuked Labor party elder Paul Keating, who launched a spray at several cabinet ministers over the federal government’s deal to acquire nuclear submarines from Britain and the United States.
Anthony Albanese says Paul Keating’s comments against two ministers diminished him
Mr Keating labelled the defence and foreign ministers “seriously unwise” amid strident criticism.Mr Albanese, Mr Marles and Senator Wong said the world had changed and Mr Keating was wrong on China.Anthony Albanese said Mr Keating’s scathing remarks against two cabinet ministers only diminished the former leader.
“I think it is unfortunate that Mr Keating chose such very strong personal statements against people, I don’t think that does anything other than diminish him, frankly, but that’s a decision that he’s made,” Mr Albanese told Nine Radio.
Mr Albanese said that Mr Keating continued to have his “utmost respect” for his leadership during the 1990s, but the world had changed.
On Wednesday, the former prime minister labelled Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong “seriously unwise ministers”, amid strident criticisms of the federal government and several journalists over AUKUS. As part of the AUKUS contract, the federal government will acquire at least three Virginia-class submarines as a stopgap starting in the early 2030s, and will build eight nuclear-powered ships starting in the 2040s.
Australia to buy Virginia and AUKUS submarines
Australia’s nuclear submarine program could cost up to $368 billion over the next 30 years, confirming that the federal government will buy at least three US-built nuclear submarines.
A submarine moves through the water, creating a large wake behind it, with some of the crew visible above the deck.
Keating, who has previously criticized the AUKUS agreement, reiterated that China is not a threat to Australia and that it is wrong that the “former Soviet Union” is not willing to impose its ideology on the world.
He particularly scathingly criticized Senator Wong for “compromising” himself by pursuing a policy that avoided political controversy. “Wandering around the islands of the Pacific with a lei around your neck and handing out money like Penny does is not foreign policy. It’s a consul’s job,” Keating said.
“This government, the Albanian government, has no foreign policy.”
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Mr Albanese declined to say whether Mr Keating should apologize for his remarks to his ministers.
“Paul Keating is a great guy. I think he has a right to say what he thinks. I think he’s wrong about that,” Albanese said.
“I have no intention of arguing publicly with Paul Keating.”
Senator Wong said Keating’s remarks were a thing of the past. Senator Wong said, “Paul Keating has his views, but they belong essentially to a different era.
“We’re not facing the area he was 30 years ago. We’re not facing the area we wanted.”
Mr Murles avoided Mr Keating’s criticism on Wednesday.
“Whatever Paul Keating says about me, the Secretary of State, the Prime Minister, we will not hear a bad word about him,” he said.
