The Claim
“Broke an election promise by allowing the new multi-billion dollar batch of Navy submarines to be built overseas, despite high levels of unemployment amongst our manufacturing sector.”
Original Sources Provided
✅ FACTUAL VERIFICATION
The Coalition government led by Tony Abbott did make a pre-election commitment in 2013 to build 12 submarines in South Australia. In May 2013, then-opposition defence spokesman David Johnston stated at ASC (Australian Submarine Corporation) in Adelaide: "We will deliver those submarines right here in South Australia" [1]. The Coalition's 2013 defence policy document stated a Coalition Government would "ensure that work on the replacement of the current submarine fleet will centre around the South Australian shipyards" [2].
By August 2014, the government had begun backpedaling on this commitment. Prime Minister Abbott faced pressure from his own MPs and senators after media reports indicated the government was considering having submarines built overseas, particularly in Japan [3]. Abbott was reported to have asked Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in December 2014 to build eight submarines in Japan and sail them ready-built to Australia [4].
However, the claim that the submarines were ultimately "allowed to be built overseas" is factually incorrect regarding the eventual outcome. In April 2016, the government awarded the $50 billion contract to French company DCNS (now Naval Group) with the submarines to be built in Adelaide [5]. The French bid was selected specifically because it offered the best capability while maintaining Australian construction jobs.
Missing Context
The claim omits several critical pieces of context:
The submarines were ultimately awarded to be built in Australia: Despite the 2014 backpedaling and consideration of overseas options, the final 2016 decision was for French-designed submarines to be constructed in Adelaide [5]. The claim presents a narrative that did not ultimately occur.
The project was cancelled in 2021 for AUKUS: The French submarine project was cancelled by the Morrison government in September 2021 when Australia entered the AUKUS security pact with the US and UK to acquire nuclear-powered submarines instead [6]. This represents a separate, later decision by a different Coalition Prime Minister (Scott Morrison).
Legitimate technical considerations: The government cited concerns about cost, capability, and timely delivery when considering overseas options. Parliamentary records and defence analysis suggested Australian-built submarines could cost significantly more and face greater technical risks [7].
Political pressure reversed the overseas consideration: The strong backlash from South Australian politicians (including from the Coalition's own ranks), unions, and industry groups contributed to the government ultimately maintaining the Australian-build commitment in 2016 [8].
Source Credibility Assessment
The original sources provided are:
News.com.au (2014): A mainstream Australian news outlet owned by News Corp Australia. Generally reputable but has been accused of conservative leanings. The article from August 2014 reflected genuine concerns at that time about potential overseas construction.
ABC PM (2013): The ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) is Australia's public broadcaster and is generally regarded as the most politically neutral and authoritative news source in Australia. Content from ABC Radio's PM program from 2013 would be highly credible.
Both sources are legitimate news organizations. However, they reflect reporting from 2013-2014 when the controversy was active, not the eventual outcome in 2016 when the French/Australian build decision was made.
Labor Comparison
Did Labor do something similar?
The Collins-class submarines currently in service were actually initiated under the Hawke/Keating Labor government in the late 1980s/early 1990s. These were the first submarines built in Australia, constructed at ASC in Adelaide [9]. The Collins project faced significant cost overruns and technical problems, which informed subsequent debates about submarine procurement.
During the Rudd/Gillard Labor governments (2007-2013), the Future Submarine Program (SEA 1000) was initiated to replace the Collins class. Labor's approach also centered on Australian construction. The 2009 Defence White Paper under Labor proposed 12 new submarines to be built in Australia [10].
Comparison: Both major parties have historically supported Australian-built submarines, though both have faced challenges regarding cost, capability, and timely delivery. The Coalition's 2014 consideration of overseas options was a departure from this bipartisan consensus, but they ultimately returned to it with the 2016 French decision.
Balanced Perspective
While the Coalition government did seriously consider breaking its promise by exploring overseas construction options in 2014, the ultimate outcome was different from what the claim suggests. The government faced intense political pressure, including from its own South Australian MPs who threatened to cross the floor, and eventually committed to Australian construction with the French contract in 2016 [3][5].
The claim conflates two separate controversies:
- The 2014 backpedaling on the promise (which generated legitimate criticism)
- The 2021 AUKUS cancellation of the French project (a separate decision by a different Coalition leader)
The submarine procurement process has been problematic across multiple governments. The Collins-class (Labor-initiated) faced major technical issues and delays. The Future Submarine Program (Coalition) faced similar challenges, leading to the eventual AUKUS pivot. These are extraordinarily complex, high-value defence projects where cost blowouts and delays are unfortunately common internationally [11].
MISLEADING
4.0
out of 10
The claim is misleading because it asserts the Coalition "allowed" submarines to be built overseas as if this was the final outcome. In fact, while the government did consider overseas options in 2014 (a legitimate broken promise concern at the time), the ultimate 2016 decision was to award the contract to France with construction in Adelaide. The claim presents an incomplete narrative that doesn't reflect the eventual outcome. The submarines were not "allowed" to be built overseas—they were contracted to be built in Australia before the entire project was later cancelled for AUKUS in 2021.
Final Score
4.0
OUT OF 10
MISLEADING
The claim is misleading because it asserts the Coalition "allowed" submarines to be built overseas as if this was the final outcome. In fact, while the government did consider overseas options in 2014 (a legitimate broken promise concern at the time), the ultimate 2016 decision was to award the contract to France with construction in Adelaide. The claim presents an incomplete narrative that doesn't reflect the eventual outcome. The submarines were not "allowed" to be built overseas—they were contracted to be built in Australia before the entire project was later cancelled for AUKUS in 2021.
📚 SOURCES & CITATIONS (10)
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1
afr.com
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been pressed for reassurances by his own MPs and Senators after the government walked away from a pre-election promise to build 12 submarines in South Australia.
Australian Financial Review -
2
abc.net.au
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says the Coalition Government needs to stand by a pre-election commitment to build Australia's next fleet of submarines in South Australia.
Abc Net -
3
smh.com.au
The decision on which country to award a submarine contract is not something to be sorted out between mates.
The Sydney Morning Herald -
4
abc.net.au
Sarah Ferguson presents Australia's premier daily current affairs program, delivering agenda-setting public affairs journalism and interviews that hold the powerful to account. Plus political analysis from Laura Tingle.
Abc Net -
5
reuters.com
Reuters
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6
anao.gov.au
Anao Gov
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7
sbs.com.au
The federal government will face a nationwide backlash if it decides to have new submarines built overseas, the SA premier says.
SBS News -
8
navy.gov.au
Navy Gov
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9
alchetron.com
The Future Submarine Program (SEA 1000) is a future class of submarines for the Royal Australian Navy based on the Shortfin Barracuda proposal by French shipbuilder DCNS to replace the Collinsclass submarines. The class will enter service in the early 2030s with construction extending into the late
Alchetron.com -
10
bloomberg.com
Bloomberg
Rating Scale Methodology
1-3: FALSE
Factually incorrect or malicious fabrication.
4-6: PARTIAL
Some truth but context is missing or skewed.
7-9: MOSTLY TRUE
Minor technicalities or phrasing issues.
10: ACCURATE
Perfectly verified and contextually fair.
Methodology: Ratings are determined through cross-referencing official government records, independent fact-checking organizations, and primary source documents.