The Australian Submarine Agency is under scrutiny as former senior defence and security bureaucrat Dennis Richardson has been appointed to conduct an urgent review. Richardson will focus on the agency’s governance amid concerns about its management of the $368bn Aukus submarine contract. The sudden resignation of a senior leader, David Hallinan, has raised further concerns about morale and communication within the agency. The annual Australian Public Service staff census results revealed issues with staff wellbeing and support, ranking the ASA as the second worst agency in the federal bureaucracy. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher acknowledged these findings and assured steps were being taken to address the problems.
Dennis Richardson, a former secretary of defence and foreign affairs, will lead the review alongside other experts. The opposition has criticized the government for commissioning yet another review, expressing concerns about the potential impact on the Aukus acquisition. Despite opposition criticism, the government is proceeding with the review to address internal issues and improve communication and change management within the agency.
The ASA has defended its work on the Aukus acquisition, emphasizing the importance of delivering the biggest investment in defence capability in Australian history. However, there have been reports of staff disillusionment and resignations, prompting the need for a top-to-bottom review. The government is facing pressure to allow ASA officials to appear for a special hearing before Christmas. While the review aims to address internal challenges and improve operations, critics remain skeptical about the agency’s ability to deliver on its submarine acquisition plans.
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