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].
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].
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 claim omits several critical pieces of context:
1. **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.
2. **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).
3. **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].
4. **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].
The article from August 2014 reflected genuine concerns at that time about potential overseas construction.
2. **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.
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.
**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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.