Ed Husic breaks rank on AUKUS, demands ‘plan B’ as deal changes

2 June 2026, https://www.capitalbrief.com/briefing/ed-husic-breaks-rank-on-aukus-demands-plan-b-as-deal-changes-8dd38805-d076-4d98-9258-524dc0d52cd2/

The news: Labor backbencher Ed Husic has broken rank on AUKUS, demanding a “plan B” and urging Australia to confront the “reality” that it may never receive the submarines it is entitled to under the agreement.

The context: The comments come two days after Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed Australia would not receive a new Virginia class submarine from the US, instead receiving a third secondhand model.

Husic, who Marles ousted from cabinet in a factional stoush, questioned the defence minister’s claim that the change was based on making the deal more cost effective.

“I’d imagine that in the circumstances he’s been placed, he would have to say that,” Husic told reporters on Tuesday.

The Albanese government has staunchly defended AUKUS and received a boost last year when US President Donald Trump confirmed his administration was “full steam ahead” on the agreement.

But the wording of the agreement means that the Congress could prevent submarines from being handed to Australia, if doing so would degrade Washington’s capabilities.

American manufacturers are currently producing submarines at a rate of less than 1.5 per year, well under the threshold needed to fulfill its AUKUS commitments.

“This deal has changed and … we need to recognise [that]. Is there anything that is going to improve this outcome?” Husic said.

“I don’t think so.”

Labor’s caucus backed the AUKUS deal from opposition in 2021, though there was disquiet among rank-and-file members — and former prime minister Paul Keating — over the deal.

Husic’s intervention came after a Labor-aligned group picked former minister Peter Garrett to head an independent review into AUKUS.

“You’ve seen within the broader movement a general disquiet about the nature of the deal itself,” Husic said.

“But putting all that aside, there’s an issue about reality confronting us about whether or not we will even get the new deal that has been put to us.”

Husic insisted the proper processes were followed at the time but stressed the situation had materially changed since 2021.

What they said: “That deal versus what we’ve got now are different,” Husic said.

“I think that it now gives us a moment to think about whether or not the deal should be reconfigured, or what are the contingencies.”

The source: Ed Husic press conference