Defence
‘A stab in the back’: French ambassador slams PM over leaked Macron texts
The French ambassador has defended his country’s attack-class submarine program, insisting the project was not over budget or delayed.
- by Anthony Galloway and David Crowe
Latest
‘Family after family after family’: Australian troops speak of chaos at Kabul airport
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has personally thanked Australian Defence personnel who helped run the evacuation missions from Afghanistan.
- by David Crowe
Opinion
Foreign relations
‘I don’t think, I know’: Macron breaks through Morrison’s fog of spin
The French President’s statement is bracing, like someone dunking your head underwater. It got me thinking about how Morrison-speak makes everything so hazy it’s like living in a Godard flick.
- by Julie Szego
‘He’s lied to me’: Turnbull joins Macron in rebuking PM on subs deal
Malcolm Turnbull said Scott Morrison had lied to him when they worked together in government, but had committed a graver mistake by being dishonest on an international level.
- by David Crowe
Analysis
AUKUS
Australian officials fear leaking Macron’s texts crossed a line amid US tension
Australia’s decision to leak text messages from French President Emmanuel Macron made some officials believe a line had been crossed that risked alienating the Biden administration.
- by Anthony Galloway
PM points to secret texts as he hits back at French leader over submarine row
Scott Morrison cited the text messages as proof that he gave President Emmanuel Macron fair warning the deal would be dumped.
- by David Crowe
Abbott calls for Australia to use retiring nuclear-powered submarines as training boats
The former PM says he’s been canvassing the idea in the US of Australia acquiring some older-model nuclear submarines “within months, rather than decades”.
- by Anthony Galloway
Analysis
Please Explain podcast
Macron accuses Morrison of lying in dramatic end to G20 summit
Political and international editor Peter Hartcher joins Bianca Hall to discuss the outcomes of the G20 summit in Rome, and Australia’s diplomatic stumbles along the way.
- by Bianca Hall
Australia looking at existing design to ‘accelerate’ delivery of nuclear-powered submarines
Basing it on an existing design would allow Australia to build the nuclear-powered submarines more quickly.
- by Anthony Galloway
The argument that got Senate estimates suspended
Labor Senator Penny Wong and Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne got into a heated discussion over changed plans to build a naval ship in Australia, that resulted in the hearing being suspended.
Graphic content
ADF
Soaring historical sexual and physical abuse claims in Defence
Reports of abuse made to the independent ombudsman, which can recommend reparations, almost doubled to 953 in the last financial year.
- by Nick Bonyhady and Anthony Galloway