‘No magic pudding’: Peter Dutton calls for ‘transparency’ on AUKUS cost

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has called on the government to have an honest conversation about the cost of AUKUS, saying there is “no magic pudding” and extra money must be spent in defence. “We have to make sure there is transparency and honesty with the Australian people about the cost involved in AUKUS,” he said during a media conference on Tuesday. “It’s not credible for the government to say there is no net impact, even over the forward estimates. “We can’t allow Labor to cannibalise the Defence Force to pay for AUKUS – it’s not an either/or option.”