The Australian Defence Minister, Peter Dutton has urged France to put aside “hurt feelings” over the cancellation of the submarine contract and focus instead on the “great uncertainty with China in our region.” France has been upset since Australia abandoned its submarine contract with it. French President Emmanuel Macron also alleged that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison lied about the cancellation of the contract. However, private text messages from Macron to Morrison were leaked which refuted Macron’s claim. This triggered what the French ambassador described as a “new low,” in relations although Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Barnaby Joyce justified the leak saying that Macron calling Morrison a liar was a bigger diplomatic issue. Defence Minister Dutton said on Thursday that it was time for France to “move on” and “recognise that we’ve made a decision that is in our country’s best interests [to cancel the contract].” “Nobody from Scott Morrison down is going to …
Australia Defence Minister Urges France to ‘Move On’ and Focus on China
November 4, 2021
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