Australian Submarine Agency Faces Leadership Crisis and $368bn AUKUS Program Challenges
A government-commissioned review highlights governance issues, staff dissatisfaction, and mounting costs within the agency overseeing Australia's nuclear submarine acquisition.
- The Australian Submarine Agency (ASA), established in July 2023 to manage the $368 billion AUKUS submarine deal, is under review by former Defence Secretary Dennis Richardson due to governance and operational concerns.
- The ASA has faced significant staff morale issues, with a recent survey ranking it as the second worst federal agency for employee wellbeing and communication, and 42% of staff reporting frequent stress.
- Key leadership departures, including Deputy Director-General David Hallinan, who resigned after raising concerns about agency operations, have further destabilized the organization.
- The ASA has spent over $96 million on consultancy services in its short existence, with major contracts awarded to firms like McKinsey and KPMG, raising questions about transparency and efficiency.
- Critics, including opposition and Greens members, question the ASA's ability to deliver on its mission, citing unclear strategic direction, workforce challenges, and doubts about the feasibility of acquiring nuclear submarines by the 2030s.
The Guardian 
Crikey 
Australian Broadcasting Corporation 