SMH · Matthew Knott, Brittany Busch · Tuesday 28 April 2026
Opposition defence spokesman James Paterson wants Australia to consider long-range bombers while hedging on the AUKUS submarine deal he calls 'enormous risks'.
Paterson wants long-range bombers and a Plan B on AUKUS in the same breath — the man's ordered the entrée, the mains, and a backup restaurant in case the kitchen catches fire. The Coalition signed the submarine deal, sold it as the cornerstone, and now whispers about contingencies like a bloke checking the exits at his own wedding. Bombers, subs, true belief, hedged bets. Pick a posture, mate.