Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the following: Report 224: Agreement among the Government of Australia, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion and a corrigendum to Report 221: BBNJ Agreement.

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).

by leave—I am pleased to make a statement on the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties Report 224: Agreement among the Government of Australia, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion, otherwise known as AUKUS.

The AUKUS agreement creates a framework to facilitate the communication and exchange of naval nuclear propulsion information between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It also enables the transfer of nuclear materials and equipment from the UK and the US to Australia for conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

In considering this treaty, the committee held four hearings and travelled to Osborne in South Australia, and to HMAS Stirling and Henderson in Western Australia. Throughout the inquiry we heard evidence from a range of witnesses on a number of matters arising from the agreement.

The committee has determined the agreement to be in the nation's interest. Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines provides our nation with not only a strategic defence advantage but also an opportunity to grow Australian jobs, education and infrastructure.

Further, nuclear-powered submarines have a number of benefits over conventionally powered submarines, including being faster and more manoeuvrable.

While supporting Australia's ratification of the treaty, the report makes eight recommendations aimed to address a number of concerns that have been raised.

These recommendations include expanding and enhancing activities to inform the committee on how AUKUS will benefit Australia, and to help dispel a number of emerging AUKUS myths.

An example of AUKUS myth is that the agreement is a slippery slope towards nuclear weapons and that radioactive material contained within submarines' reactor units could be weaponised.

This is false. The ASA stated that the agreement was consistent with Australia's existing non-proliferation obligations and Australia's safeguard agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The ASA also emphasised that the nuclear material in US and UK nuclear-powered submarines was not in a form that could be used in nuclear weapons without further processing facilities that Australia does not have and will not acquire.

A further myth is that Australia will become a dumping ground for nuclear waste from the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (US). This is also false. The committee was advised that the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Agency Act 2024 clarifies that storage and disposal in Australia of spent nuclear fuel that is not from an Australian submarine is prohibited.

During the inquiry the committee was pleased to learn that the agreement will result in the creation of approximately 20,000 jobs over 30 years and presents a unique opportunity to upskill Australia's domestic industrial workforce with unprecedented opportunities for trades and tertiary educated workers alike.

The jobs created throughout the life of the AUKUS program is good news for our country, as is the longevity of the employment opportunities that it will create.

To support the growth, the report recommends the launch of an AUKUS career and employment opportunities campaign and advocates for the enhancement of existing STEM and traditional trade engagement programs, particularly within our schools.

On another note, the committee recognised that an increased workforce and activities at each of the AUKUS sites will have a substantial impact on community infrastructure.

To ensure that local communities are supported, the report recommends that the Australian government partners with state and local governments to assist local communities with the infrastructure needs they may have.

The report also recommends the Australian Submarine Agency enhance its engagement and consultation with local traditional owner groups, First Nations people and local environmental groups.

Finally, the committee would like to extend thanks to all those involved who provided written and oral evidence to support the inquiry. In a robust democracy such as Australia, this inquiry has allowed throughout the submissions and the hearings process for a variety of voices to be heard.

The committee would also like to thank the personnel who facilitated the inspections at Osborne, HMAS Stirling and Henderson as well as the committee secretariat.

The committee supports the treaty considered in this report and recommends that binding treaty action be taken. On behalf of the committee, I commend this unanimous report to the House.

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