A foreign affairs expert says new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has a “tough decision” to make on nuclear-powered submarines.

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison controversially cancelled a submarine manufacturing deal with France in favour of the US, after the superpower granted Australia access to nuclear submarine technology.

It comes as Mr Albanese heads to Tokyo for a meeting with QUAD leaders after being sworn in on Monday morning.

The summit will include talks with leaders from the US, India and Japan.

Former Executive Director at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Peter Jennings, told Scott Emerson while it’s not a decision that will be made in the next couple of days, it is one he will have to face eventually.

“I’m a little worried about this,” he said on 4BC Drive.

“Because there are clearly members of Albanese’s party who are not supporters of nuclear power in any form, and it’s going to cost a huge amount of money.

“So this will be a tough decision for (Mr) Albanese when it comes, which I think will be about March of next year, that’s the sort of ‘green light’ moment as to whether we go ahead.

“But really for the sake of the alliance relationship with the United States, I think he’s locked in.

“I think he’ll have no choice other than to say ‘yes, we’re going down that track’.”

Press PLAY to hear the full interview below 

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