The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold its third public hearing today, October 22, 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.
“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,” said Committee Chair Lisa Chesters.
“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. Before 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 October 24.
