Australian Defence Minister Pat Conroy Reverses AUKUS Submarine Eviction Notice

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the earlier declaration that the US nuclear‑powered submarine rotation at HMAS Stirling would end when Australia’s own Virginia‑class submarines arrive in 2032 was being walked back. He now expects an ongoing US submarine presence at the Perth base, noting the force‑posture agreement can be renewed or expanded and that future visits could continue indefinitely, though it would not constitute a permanent US base.

Opposition defence spokesman James Paterson criticised the reversal, calling the original “eviction notice” bizarre and urging clarification from Defence Minister Richard Marles on whether US submarines will be welcome beyond 2032. Former defence minister Christopher Pyne highlighted the strategic advantage for the United States of having a submarine base in the Indian Ocean, describing HMAS Stirling as effectively a US‑UK‑Australia submarine base. The Pentagon did not comment.