Anthony Albanese snaps at a pack of reporters over trouble in Labor over AUKUS nuclear subs

Anthony Albanese snapped at reporters who questioned whether there was trouble brewing within the Labor party over the historic AUKUS deal.

The Prime Minister was questioned over reports three MPs from his own side of politics questioning the $368billion nuclear submarine deal as he left an event marking World Down Syndrome Day in the Mural Hall of Parliament House on Tuesday.

The PM attempted to avoid questions about whether cracks were starting to appear within ALP ranks when he was approached by a pack of reporters. 

‘Seriously – have a bit of respect for these people thank you,’ he said, pointing back toward the crowd that had gathered for the event.

A visibly frustrated PM moved through the press pack without commenting further on the matter.

Mr Albanese last week announced an agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom to supply eight nuclear powered submarines to Australia over the next 30 years.

The deal has been hailed as the biggest investment in the country’s defence in history. 

But on Monday, Josh Wilson, the member for Fremantle, told Parliament he’s not yet ‘convinced’ of the benefits of the deal.

‘I’m not yet convinced that we can adequately deal with the non-proliferation risks involved in what is a novel arrangement by which a non-nuclear weapons state under the Non-Proliferation Treaty comes to acquire weapons-grade material,’ he said.

‘I could be proved wrong about some of my concerns. 

The PM attempted to avoid questions about whether cracks were starting to appear within ALP ranks when he was approached by a pack of reporters

‘Perhaps they’re ill-founded in a way that I don’t perceive, and I can live with that, but I would be wrong already if I wasn’t prepared to identify and voice those concerns which are based on work I’ve done consistently since I was first elected to this place on some of these issues.’

The comments came after former Labor leader Paul Keating slammed the deal, describing it as ‘the worst in history’.

Higgins MP Michelle Ananda-Rajah and Corangamite MP Libby Coker also reportedly queried the deal in a Labor caucus meeting.

Dr Ananda-Rajah later came out in public support of her party. ‘I fully support the government’s announced AUKUS plan,’ she said. 

Ms Coker also rubbished reports she wasn’t in favour of the deal.

‘The AUKUS plan is important for our security, it responds to the challenging times we face and it will create thousands of jobs for Australian workers. It has my support,’ she said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled the AUKUS plan alongside US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in San Diego last Tuesday