Indeed and with both parties that count showing support for the acquisition and broader AUKUS deal + support within the general public still there (despite the noisy/naive minority) this program will still go ahead.But ultimately the current Australian political system figures that the price is worth it.
One also needs to keep in mind the changed strategic circumstances facing Australia and the analysis that more needs to be spent on Defence. As will be highlighted more in the coming weeks with the release of the public version of the DSR, Australian Defence is about to undergo arguably the most significant change since WWII. Part of this includes a move to increase the Defence budget to a sustained 2.5% of GDP or higher - and for context, it has averaged around 1.8% for the last 30+yrs with only short peaks higher) based upon individual acquisitions).
I have spent nearly the last 30yrs in/around Defence and I have not seen the level of emphasis and urgency like now. To give you just one small, though potentially very telling, example of how the current Govt is taking this seriously (apart from the SSN decision): Typically the Deputy PM can choose his/her portfolio and to be honest, historically Defence is not seen as a desired portfolio by either Labor or Conservative politicians. That changed when Richard Marles deliberately requested to become Defence Minister in 2022. The Government also initiated the DSR which will, as mentioned earlier, drive the most significant change in Australia's Defence posture since the end of WWII. The SSNs are the headline now but the world is changing and much more is coming despite what some may attempt.
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