Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question for the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Minister Wong. The naval nuclear safety bill currently before the Senate allows Australia to take on radioactive waste from the US and the UK through the AUKUS deal, including high-level and military-grade radioactive waste. After many decades of nuclear submarines, the US and UK still have no solution to their nuclear waste. Is it the government's intention to use this power under the bill to take on foreign nuclear waste?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Thorpe for her question. I'm sure, in the context of the committee debate, there can be perhaps a more detailed answer. But what I would say is this: in our commitment to AUKUS there was no deviation whatsoever from Australia's position—and, in particular, the position that the Albanese government has articulated, which is I think the same position from those opposite when they were in government—around our commitment to nuclear nonproliferation. We made very clear that how we would handle the acquisition of nuclear powered submarines would be to work very closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure we remained compliant with our obligations as a non-nuclear party under the NPT.

So what I would say to you is: we intend to apply the strictest standards. We are working very closely with Director General Grossi of the IAEA to ensure that is the case. We have no intention of establishing a domestic nuclear industry in Australia. What we do intend to do is to acquire a nuclear powered submarine capability.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Thorpe, a first supplementary?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A Defence spokesperson told a Senate inquiry last week that it is not the government's intention to take on foreign nuclear waste. If that is the case, will your government commit to amending the bill to remove any possibility of future governments hosting foreign nuclear waste in Australia?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for placing that on the record. I wasn't aware of the Defence official's comments, and I'm grateful they are consistent with what I have said.

In relation to your proposition, I will take on board your proposal and refer it to the Minister for Defence. I would also say to you, if that is a commitment that is being sought, there are obviously other ways in which that commitment can be given in the chamber, but that's a matter that would need to be negotiated with the Minister for Defence. I'll undertake to ensure that he is aware of your interest in this matter.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Thorpe, second supplementary?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. Does your $368 billion for AUKUS include the long-term costs of managing and disposing of nuclear waste?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The figure that you have outlined, which did form part of the announcement, is a figure associated with the acquisition and sustainment of the capability—that is, the submarine capital.