Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to extend a very warm welcome to Perth to the USS North Carolina, the first US Virginia class attack submarine to visit the nation since the AUKUS defence agreement was announced in March this year. She is docked at the HMAS Stirling naval base on Garden Island near Rockingham in Western Australia. She is part of the first arrivals under the Submarine Rotational Force-West initiative. We hope to welcome many more UK and US submarines over the next few years under the AUKUS agreement. Through increased UK and US port visits, and through Submarine Rotational Force-West, Australia will progressively develop the skills, knowledge and expertise to operate, maintain and eventually steward nuclear powered submarines. I take great pride, as the defence minister at the time, in having set the foundations not only for AUKUS but also for our submarine agreement under AUKUS. This milestone signifies a promising advancement in our nation's security landscape.

However, as a senator for Western Australia, I also understand the absolute urgency of the need for the Western Australian state government to act swiftly to ensure that Western Australia, and particularly Rockingham and Henderson, are AUKUS ready by 2027. Work has to start now on workforce preparations and training and on housing for thousands of UK and US personnel who will be arriving from 2027. We also need significant infrastructure developments and solutions not only to manage traffic to and from Garden Island, with the Garden Island Highway to be developed, but also for the many other preparations required for Rockingham and the region to become nuclear ready. But, as I said, I say, 'You are most welcome,' to the crew of the USS North Carolina. (Time expired)