Australia's former top diplomat in Washington is "nervous" about the promised delivery of nuclear-powered submarines from the US, while cautioning against giving the Americans an exit out of the deal through a back-up plan.
Under the AUKUS partnership, Australia is set to acquire three Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s, before a new fleet is built for delivery from the 2040s.
Former treasurer Joe Hockey, who served as ambassador during the first Trump administration, said the relationship between Washington and Canberra remained strong, but submarine production in the US wasn't keeping pace.
"For the first time, I'm a little nervous about the Virginias, and that's after a few conversations on the Hill," he told the National Press Club on Tuesday.
