Awaiting US meeting, Payne downplays worries over submarine deal

Foreign Minister Marise Payne has downplayed concerns a $50 billion project to build new submarines will not proceed because of the lack of an agreement between the Government and a French-owned company. The issue has arisen as Senator Payne prepares for a meeting in Washington with United States secretary of state Mike Pompeo and US national-security adviser John Bolton. The Indo-Pacific and Iran are expected to be among the main talking points at the meeting.