Rex Patrick (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and relates to the implementation of the AUKUS agreement. Isn't it the case that, to implement transfers of nuclear material to fuel any Australian nuclear submarine, it will be necessary for Australia to conclude a specific arrangement with the International Atomic Energy Agency in accordance with article 14 of our 1974 nuclear safeguards agreement with the IAEA? Isn't it a fact that in more than 40 years in which the IAEA has been implementing comprehensive nuclear safeguard agreements, the agency has never concluded an article 14 agreement? Isn't this required agreement unprecedented? Isn't it the case that the approval by the IAEA board of governors will be required for the agency to agree to a article 14 agreement with Australia?