Australia news live: UK inquiry says ‘cracks already beginning to show’ on Aukus; search for missing five-year-old near Alice Springs grows

“Shortcomings and failures” in delivering the Aukus agreement could see the ambitious nuclear submarine plan derailed, threatening Australia’s security, a British parliamentary inquiry has found.

UK shipbuilding has been under-funded for decades, and its current submarine availability is critically low.

When nuclear submarine HMS Anson visited Australia in February, it was Britain’s only attack-class submarine at sea: it had to be rapidly recalled ahead of schedule to the northern hemisphere when war broke out in the Gulf.

A House of Commons defence committee inquiry into Aukus “has revealed shortcomings and failings in the delivery of AUKUS which threaten to prevent that promise becoming a reality”. The inquiry said:

double quotation markIn the UK, political leadership – essential to secure the success of a programme of AUKUS’ length, cost, and complexity – has faded. We call on the prime minister to take a more visible role in promoting and driving forward AUKUS to counter the political drift that could see it derailed.

Committee chair, Labour MP Tan Dhesi, said:

double quotation markWe have deep concerns cracks are already beginning to show when it comes to funding. The investment pipeline has already faltered. This cannot be allowed to happen again. Even seemingly minor shortfalls and delays snowball over time, with potentially severe consequences.