Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate take note of the document.

This is a statement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. In taking note of this statement, I want to emphasise some points about what AUKUS means in the context of Australia's engagement in the world and our broader foreign policy. I understand that Senator Wong, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, will make more comprehensive remarks when she is back in the chamber next week.

The Australian government's intent in acquiring this capability is to make our contribution to the strategic balance of the region. Australia wants a stable region where no country dominates and no country is dominated. If that is to be the case, we all have a responsibility to play our part in the collective deterrence of aggression. Our region has been home to an unprecedented military build-up in recent years, meaning we must work hard and fast if we are to maintain equilibrium. Increasing our military capability sits alongside our diplomacy, which is about increasing the opportunities and benefits from peace and partnership—positive incentives for peace.

I come to this debate with a deep interest in the intersection between regional affairs, peace and security questions, and economic and industry policy. On the 20th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, I should note that I was a key figure in the organising committee for the anti-Iraq-War demonstrations in Sydney. National security debates are not the sole property of the security establishment, our defence forces or conservative commentators; they are for all Australians. There is no room for dogma or over-reliance on outdated ideological certainties. As well as positive incentives for peace, Australia must have an effective deterrent for conflict and aggression. By having strong defence capabilities of our own and by working with partners investing in their own capabilities, we change the calculus for any potential aggressor.

There are those in the building who like to beat the drums of war with a comic-book characterisation of regional powers, and there are those who like to believe that peace can come from passively hoping for the best. This government knows that part of maintaining peace is making sure that all countries are invested in that peace through effective diplomacy and that part of maintaining peace is making sure no state will ever conclude that the benefits of conflict outweigh the risks. The goal is not to be an aggressor and use the military capability. The goal is to make anyone thinking it's a good idea to use their military capability think again.

For those who are concerned about the diplomatic implications of the optimal pathway on nuclear powered submarines announced last week, I make the observation that our regional partners agree on the need for a stable region, and we appreciate that they have listened to our explanations of how AUKUS contributes to regional balance. The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for International Development and the Pacific made more than 60 calls to counterparts in the lead-up to the announcement.

This is, of course, on top of ongoing diplomatic legwork put in by the Albanese Labor government, particularly our foreign minister, Senator Penny Wong, since the election—work that has been focused on rebuilding relationships with key partners, deepening trust and demonstrating Australia's growing contribution to the need for strategic equilibrium and guardrails to prevent competition between great powers turning into conflict. Our engagement has emphasised that Australia will continue to meet its non-proliferation obligations and commitments under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and remains fully committed to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty. We are committed to ensuring that the rotational presence of UK and US submarines aligns with our longstanding commitments under the treaty. And, while we are not a party to it, Australia will continue to act in a manner that is consistent with the basic principles of the Bangkok treaty.

This is underlined by the fact that these boats will be nuclear powered, not nuclear armed, and that Australia will never seek to acquire nuclear weapons. In addition, I note that US Defense Secretary Austin has confirmed that the submarines visiting Australia on rotation will be conventionally armed. We are working openly and transparently with the IAEA to develop an appropriate, robust non-proliferation approach to underpin Australia's nuclear powered submarine program. This will enable the IAEA to provide assurance to the international community that Australia is continuing to meet its obligations, as Director General Grossi confirmed again last week.

For those who have expressed concern about regional reactions—and I note that Senator Shoebridge did in question time this week—let me offer some reassurance. Fiji's Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, has expressed his support for the AUKUS agreement. Samoa's Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, here in Canberra this week, said that she understands Australia's rationale for acquiring nuclear powered submarines. The Philippines Ministry for Foreign Affairs says it has no objection to the development of the trilateral security pact and noted assurances made to contribute to the preservation of regional peace and stability. Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, said:

… the undertakings of AUKUS will contribute to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region amidst an increasingly severe security environment in the region.

Indonesia said:

Maintaining peace and stability in the region is the responsibility of all countries. It is critical for all countries to be a part of this effort.

Malaysia said:

Malaysia appreciates the readiness on the part of the three countries, which are our close partners … in engaging with Malaysia at various levels and in sharing the latest updates and future outlook of AUKUS prior to the announcement.

Vietnam said that peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world is the common goal of every country. And France has said that, while it deeply regretted the Morrison government's decision to cancel the contract because it was announced in a particularly harsh way, it noted efforts underway to re-establish a solid partnership with the current Australian government, with close and regular contact between leaders and officials, including at the recent Australia-France 2+2 meeting.

As the Deputy Prime Minister has articulated, acquiring nuclear powered submarines is a game changer for our capability and posture. The Collins class is a potent, highly capable diesel electric submarine. The Australian government will extend the life of the Collins class from 2026 so that it remains a potent capability until its withdrawal from service. But, as we look to the 2030s and beyond, the reality is that diesel electric submarines will be increasingly detectable as they surface to recharge their batteries. That will necessarily diminish their capability. By the 2030s and 2040s, the only capable long-range submarine able to effectively operate in the environment in which we live will be nuclear powered submarines. These submarines have the capacity to remain submerged and deployed for months, making them incredibly hard to detect. As a corollary of their speed, stealth and endurance, nuclear powered submarines are a capability that will make Australia a more difficult and costly target for anyone who wishes us harm. And so it is a capability that will significantly enhance our contribution to peace and security in the region.

Maintaining peace requires effort. It demands effective diplomacy to ensure that everyone in the region benefits from that peace. Our intent in acquiring this capability is to contribute to the strategic balance of the whole region. We want—the Australian government wants—a stable region where no country dominates and no country is dominated.