The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold its second public hearing today in Adelaide 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 framework established under the AUKUS agreement will enable the exchange of information and the 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 AUKUS agreement is intended to provide Australia with access to critical naval propulsion information, facilitating Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. The Committee's inquiry is continuing to examine whether the trilateral agreement will provide Australia with a strategic advantage and access to submarines that will enhance our existing fleet.'
'The Committee looks forward to hearing from witnesses in Adelaide about local benefits and potential challenges presented by the AUKUS agreement. The Committee will also speak with representatives from ASC, who will sustain and jointly build Australia's SSN-AUKUS submarines. ASC has extensive experience sustaining Australia's Collins-Class submarines and the Committee is interested to learn more about the future of Australia's domestic submarine industry under the AUKUS agreement.'
The hearing can be accessed online and the program is available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiry.
The Committee will travel to Perth on 22 October for tours of HMAS Stirling and HMAS Henderson and a public hearing and will hold a further public hearing in Canberra on 24 October 2024. Further information about the inquiry is available on the Committee's website.
Public hearing details
Date: Friday 18 October 2024
Time: 9.30am to 11.00am (approximately) (ACDT)
Location: Vault 2, Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury, 2 Flinders Street, Adelaide
9.30am-10.00am: Friends of the Earth Adelaide and Caring for South Australia
10.00am-11.00am: ASC (Australian Submarine Corporation)
