The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold the third public hearing today in Perth for its inquiry into the Agreement among the Government of Australia, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion (AUKUS agreement).
The proposed AUKUS agreement will establish a framework to enable the exchange of information and transfer of material and equipment between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America to deliver nuclear-powered submarine capability to Australia.
Committee Chair, Ms Lisa Chesters MP, said 'The Committee has heard a wide range of perspectives in its first two hearings for the proposed AUKUS agreement and is looking forward to hearing from local witnesses on the potential impacts the agreement will have on Perth.'
'The purpose of the agreement is to facilitate Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. The Committee's inquiry will continue to examine whether the provision of these submarines will provide Australia with a strategic defensive advantage and whether the agreement is ultimately in Australia's national interests.'
At the public hearing, the Committee will hear evidence from Stop AUKUS WA, Nuclear Free WA and the Conservation Council of WA. Prior to the hearing, the Committee will visit HMAS Stirling and HMAS Henderson to view the proposed sites where AUKUS facilities will potentially be built.
The hearing can be accessed online. The Committee will hold its next public hearing in Canberra on 24 October. Programs for all hearings and further information about the inquiry is available on the Committee's website.
Public hearing details
Date: Tuesday 22 October 2024
Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm (AWST) (approximately)
Location: Anglesea 1, Mercure Perth, 10 Irwin Street, Perth
2.00pm - 3.00pm: Stop AUKUS WA, Nuclear Free WA, Conservation Council of WA
