On December 15, 2017 Defence reporter Andrew Greene at Australia’s ABC News Online, wrote:
“...Australia's $50 billion Future Submarines program has been hit by allegations of fraud, with [an Australian] Commonwealth official being investigated for misappropriating funds.
The investigation has been confirmed by senior defence officials following questioning from South Australian Senator Rex Patrick during a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra.
"Defence is conducting an investigation into some allegations in relation to financial management," [Australian] Defence Department Secretary Greg Moriarty told the committee.
"I don't want to go into further detail while there is a proper process underway," Mr Moriarty added.
It is believed the Defence Department employee under investigation was involved in the establishment of Australia's Future Submarine Office in France.
The secure facility in Cherbourg houses submarine designers, naval architects and engineers, bringing together staff from France's Naval Group (formerly DCNS), and Lockheed Martin as well as the Australian government....”
I wonder if Prime Minister Turnbull knew about the fraud issue when he openned the Australian Future Submarine program office at Cherbourg in July 2017? "Cherbourg, France, July 9, 2017 – Naval Group (formerly DCNS) and Lockheed Martin Australia today welcomed the official opening of Australia’s Future Submarine Office by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, in the presence of the French Ministry For The Armed Forces, Florence Parly." (Details and photo courtesy Naval Group Australia)
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PETE COMMENT
The submarine industry worldwide recieves more than its fair share of corruption and bribery allegations.
As the “secure facility in Cherbourg” conducts higher than merely Top Secret work any corruption is a worry.
Poor program security already and the possibility of foreign agents blackmailing or bribing corrupt officials working in such a facility is a worry.
Pete