Australia Politics Live: Aukus Contract Costs Rise, Qantas Faces Data Ransom Deadline
Canberra, Australia – October 10, 2025 – A senior Royal Australian Navy admiral today defended a fourfold increase in the estimated cost of australia’s portion of the Aukus nuclear submarine project, while Qantas Airways is nearing a deadline to respond to a ransomware demand threatening to release sensitive customer data. Senate Estimates hearings in Canberra are currently focused on these issues, alongside scrutiny of government responses to migration challenges and international events including the conflict in Gaza and the upcoming US presidential election.
The escalating costs of the Aukus agreement-a trilateral security pact between Australia, the united Kingdom, and the United States-have drawn sharp criticism from opposition lawmakers. The initial estimate for Australia’s contribution was approximately $5 billion AUD,but recent figures suggest the cost could exceed $20 billion AUD. Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, head of the Navy’s submarine capability, told the Senate committee the increase reflects evolving program requirements and unforeseen complexities. This advancement occurs as the Albanese government navigates a delicate balance between national security commitments and budgetary constraints, with potential implications for other government spending priorities.
Meanwhile, Qantas is facing a critical juncture in it’s response to a cyberattack that compromised the personal details of approximately nine million current and former customers. The airline has been given until October 11,2025,to respond to a ransom demand from the criminal group responsible. Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has publicly stated the company will not negotiate with the hackers, but the potential release of sensitive data-including frequent flyer details and credit card information-remains a meaningful concern for affected individuals and raises questions about the airline’s cybersecurity protocols.
Elsewhere in Senate estimates, discussions have centered on Australia’s migration policies, with scrutiny directed towards processing times and the capacity of the system to accommodate increasing numbers of arrivals. Lawmakers also questioned government ministers about Australia’s position on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the potential impact of the upcoming US presidential election, notably regarding the candidacy of Donald trump, on Australia’s strategic interests. Sussan Ley and Andrew Hastie, prominent members of the opposition, led questioning on these matters.
