The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold its first public hearing 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 AUKUS agreement establishes a legally binding framework to facilitate the communication and exchange of naval nuclear propulsion information between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The agreement will also permit the transfer of nuclear material and equipment from the UK and the US to Australia for conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
Committee Chair, Ms Lisa Chesters MP, said 'the Committee will examine if AUKUS will provide Australia with a strategic advantage in terms of surveillance and protecting our shores and if the AUKUS agreement will facilitate the acquisition of submarines that are stealthier, speedier and sturdier than our existing fleet.'
'The Committee will explore if the agreement emphasises Australia's commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and reinforces the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency.'
The first public hearing will be held in Canberra, with the Committee scheduled to hear evidence from the Australian Nuclear Association, Professor Donald Rothwell, The Australia Institute and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
The Committee will travel to Adelaide on 18 October to hold a public hearing and visit the Osbourne Naval Shipyard for a tour and briefing from Australian Naval Infrastructure. The Committee will then travel to Perth on 22 October for tours of HMAS Stirling and HMAS Henderson and a public hearing.
The hearings can be accessed online and the programs are available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiry.
Public hearing details
Date: Wednesday 16 October 2024
Time: 2.00pm to 5.00pm
Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra
2.00pm–2.45pm: Australian Nuclear Association
2.45pm–3.30pm: Professor Donald Rothwell
3.30pm–4.15pm: The Australia Institute
4.15pm–5.00pm: Australian Conservation Foundation
