Subterfuge and deceit Turnbull says Morrison put national security at risk

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has claimed Scott Morrison put Australia’s national security at risk in the way he has handled the decision to dump a $90 billion submarine contract with France and instead build a nuclear-propelled fleet with the United States and Britain.

Mr Turnbull also revealed that he has spoken with Emmanuel Macron since the shock announcement two weeks ago, despite Mr Morrison being unable to get the French President on the phone.

Malcolm Turnbull says Mr Morrison has put Australia’s national security at risk.Credit:Kym Smith

Mr Morrison enraged the French government by deciding to dump the French deal two weeks ago and instead use American and British technology to develop a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines as part of a new defence pact named AUKUS.

After delivering a speech at the National Press Club in which he said the government should have explored the possibility of building a nuclear-powered fleet using low-enriched uranium with France, Mr Turnbull accused his successor of “extraordinary subterfuge and deceit” that would have a “real impact on Australia”.

Mr Turnbull said one of Australia’s national security assets was “trustworthiness” and Mr Morrison’s “acolytes and admirers” were bragging about his “clever sneakiness”.

“This is an appalling episode in Australia’s international affairs and the consequences of it will endure to our disadvantage for a very long time,” he said.

“I am not getting any lectures on patriotism from Scott Morrison... I defended the national security of this country and its national interest and I know the way that he has behaved is putting that at risk.”

Mr Turnbull confirmed he had spoken to Mr Macron since the submarines announcement, saying he was a “friend, and I have stayed in touch with him since I left office”.

“He is one of the great leaders of our times â€" enormously important figure in global politics, and of course particularly in Europe,” he said. “I am not going to quote him, but what you’ve heard from the French government â€" those are views held right across the board.”

The former prime minister said Mr Morrison “both by his own character, is not inclined to apologise or admit fault or flaw”.

Mr Turnbull also didn’t rule out not voting for the Liberal Party at the next federal election, saying “it has been a long habit but it is also a secret ballot. That will be a matter between me and the ballot box”.

He also urged Mr Morrison to attend the Glasgow climate conference after the Prime Minister confirmed he may not travel overseas to attend the talks.

“History is made by those who turn up. If Mr Morrison decides not to go to Glasgow, he is sending a message,” Mr Turnbull said. “His absence will send a strong message about his priorities.”

In his first public comments about the submarine deal cancellation, Mr Macron said Europeans must stop being so “naive” and stand on their own two feet in the Pacific.

“We should not give in to escalation, it’s simply about having ourselves respected,” he said.

“The Australian decision does not change France’s Indo-Pacific strategy.”

France has taken the extraordinary step of recalling its ambassadors from Australia and the US, with its top diplomat in Canberra, Jean-Pierre Thebault, accusing Australia of “lies and treason” hours before boarding a flight to Paris.

Mr Macron also confirmed the French ambassador to the United States would return to his posting in Washington on Wednesday, but he did not say when Mr Thebault would return to Canberra.

Anthony Galloway is foreign affairs and national security correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via Twitter or email.

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