A four-member panel of experts will oversee the federal government's controversial competitive evaluation process to select Australia's future submarine.
Heading the panel is Professor Don Winter, a former secretary of the US Navy and co-author of the report on the troubled air warfare destroyer program.
Other panel members are former Federal Court judge Julie Anne Dodds-Streeton, infrastructure specialist Ron Finlay and Jim McDowell, a member of the panel that conducted the recent defence first principles review.
Defence Minister Kevin Andrews said the advisers shared extensive experience in complex military acquisition programs, legal and probity matters.
"The Expert Advisory Panel will assure the Government that the competitive evaluation process remains sound, is conducted in accordance with probity and accountability principles, and that participants have been treated fairly and equitably," he said in a statement.
Three contenders have been short-listed to participate in the competitive evaluation process: Japan with its Soryu-class submarine, German firm TKMS with its Type 216 and French firm DCNS, which is offering a conventionally powered version of its Barracuda nuclear boat.
A decision is expected by the end of the year.
Only TKMS has so far publicly committed to building the new subs in Australia.
Labor said the appointment of the advisory panel was too little, too late and no amount of oversight or expert advice could save this fundamentally flawed process.
"Unfortunately for South Australia, the evidence is overwhelming that the fix for a Japanese submarine is in," he said in a statement.
South Australia's defence industry is starting to think so as well.
SA Defence Teaming Centre chief Chris Burns, spokesman for the Australian Made Defence campaign, said visiting Japanese government and industry representatives were given special treatment when they visited South Australia and Western Australia last week.
Delegations from France, Germany and Japan have visited Australia to examine shipyards and to discuss the submarines project.
But only the Japanese group was hosted by numerous senior Australian defence officials throughout their travels, he said.
"We have already learned that Japan was given information about Australia's submarine requirements ahead of both France and Germany," he said in a statement.
"Once again, it would appear that the federal government has already decided Japan will be selected for the future submarines project, despite their experts having ruled out a local build."
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