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The prime minister has rebuked Labor party elder Paul Keating, who launched a spray at several cabinet ministers over the federal government's deal to acquire nuclear submarines from Britain and the United States.
- Anthony Albanese says Paul Keating's comments against two ministers diminished him
- Mr Keating labelled the defence and foreign ministers "seriously unwise" amid strident criticism
- Mr Albanese, Mr Marles and Senator Wong said the world had changed and Mr Keating was wrong on China
Anthony Albanese said Mr Keating's scathing remarks against two cabinet ministers only diminished the former leader.
"I think it is unfortunate that Mr Keating chose such very strong personal statements against people, I don't think that does anything than diminish him, frankly, but that's a decision that he's made," Mr Albanese told Nine Radio.
Mr Albanese said that Mr Keating continued to have his "utmost respect" for his leadership during the 1990s, but the world had changed.
Yesterday, the former prime minister labelled Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong "seriously unwise ministers", amid strident criticisms of the federal government and several journalists over AUKUS.
Under the AUKUS deal, the federal government will acquire at least three Virginia-class submarines from the early 2030s as a stopgap measure, with eight nuclear-powered boats to be built starting in the 2040s.
Mr Keating, who has previously been critical of the AUKUS deal, repeated that it was a mistake, that China did not pose a threat to Australia, and it was not the "old Soviet Union" that was seeking to impose its ideology on the world.
He was particularly scathing of Senator Wong, who he said had "compromised" herself by adopting policies that avoided political controversy.
"Running around the Pacific Islands with a lei around your neck handing out money, which is what Penny does, is not foreign policy. It’s a consular task," Mr Keating said yesterday.
"This government, the Albanese government, does not employ foreign policy."
Fronting the press this afternoon, Mr Albanese avoided answering whether Mr Keating should apologise for remarks against his ministers.
"Paul Keating is a big guy, I think he is entitled to put his opinion, on that point I think he’s wrong," Mr Albanese said.
"I have no intention of engaging in a public argument with Paul Keating."
Senator Wong said Mr Keating's comments belonged in the past.
"Paul Keating has his views, but in substance and in tone, they belong to another time," Senator Wong said.
"We don't face the region of 30 years ago — we don't face a region we hoped we had."
Mr Marles yesterday avoided making criticisms of Mr Keating.
"Whatever Paul Keating says about myself, the foreign minister, the prime minister – you won't hear a bad word from us about him," he said.