Despite initial consensus within the government last week, three Labor MPs have raised concerns about the $368 billion AUKUS submarine deal.
Under the proposal, Australia will procure up to eight nuclear-propelled submarines that are expected to begin hitting the water in the late-2030s.
However Sky News Australia can reveal that three MPs, which all hail from the left faction, have since voiced concerns about costs involved and the use of nuclear technology. Overnight the Member for Fremantle Josh Wilson publicly broke ranks and delivered a scathing critique on the floor of parliament.
Higgins MP Michelle Ananda-Rajah joined Ms Coker in raising doubts during the meeting. Picture: The Australian He went on to raise doubts about the plan to store weapons-grade nuclear waste from the spent nuclear reactors and also echoed proliferation concerns. The debate within the party was supercharged after former Labor prime minister Paul Keating called it theand savaged Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles last week at a National Press Club.
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