Australia AUKUS nuclear submarine base proposals

An independent inquiry led by former minister Peter Garrett is examining Australia’s AUKUS submarine agreement, specifically addressing the lack of parliamentary oversight regarding the nearly $400 billion commitment to acquire eight nuclear-powered submarines.

As part of this scrutiny, Newcastle and Wollongong have been identified as potential sites for submarine bases. In Newcastle, a benefit-cost analysis suggests the base could provide $150 million in regional value and create up to 5,000 skilled jobs, though residents fear the city could become a military target or face property value fluctuations.

In the Illawarra region, opposition to a potential base in Port Kembla has intensified. Local health, environmental, and trade union groups have signed the ‘Port Kembla Declaration’ to demand the federal government rule out the site. Concerns include the risk of nuclear accidents, the storage of nuclear waste, and the possibility of US submarines carrying nuclear weapons docking at the port. While the final decision on locations has been deferred, activists continue to criticize a perceived lack of community consultation and transparency in the decision-making process.