Australia’s record of buying used naval boats is chequered, to say the least. Its decision to acquire three second-hand nuclear-powered submarines carries real risks.

A naval defence expert has called for calm after critics trashed Canberra’s plan to buy three second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the United States.

Former cabinet minister Ed Husic said there was a “general disquiet” within the Labor movement about AUKUS as he called for a rethink of the pact.