Defence Minister Richard Marles has reaffirmed the government’s support for the AUKUS agreement despite resistance from Labor Party delegates.
On Aug. 18, protesters gathered at the entrance of the Labor Party national conference in Brisbane holding placards denouncing AUKUS, a trilateral security deal between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Several factions of Labor were opposed to the nuclear-submarine acquisition of the agreement, arguing it was costly and went against Labor’s traditional anti-nuclear stance.
Mr. Marles argued that the agreement was backed by the overwhelming majority of the party. He said the government must make hard decisions as the world is witnessing the “single biggest conventional military buildup” since the end of World War II.
“In the year 2000, China had six nuclear-powered submarines. By the end of the decade, they will have 21,” he said.
“Now these are not our decisions, these are not our choices. But this is the world we live in and it is our unavoidable obligation to navigate our way through it.”
The Defence Minister noted that the move is vital for Australia’s defence as the current models of submarines including diesel and electric submarines would become easy to detect in the future.
Nuclear Propulsion
Speaking to Sky News after the debate, Mr. Marles said he was “very pleased with the outcome.”
“Eight submarines is going to make a huge difference,” he said. “Submarines makes a huge difference is the first point to make. But just to maintain the capability, we would have to walk down a nuclear propulsion path. Having walked down that path, in fact, it will be a much more enhanced capability.”
“I think there are people who bring different perspectives to this debate. And as I said in there, I understand that the word ‘nuclear’ evokes a very strong reaction, and you can see that.
“And I understand the legacy and the history of the anti-nuclear weapons movement, the peace movement, and a desire for people to have a peaceful world. All of that you can completely understand.
“The point to be made, obviously, is that we’re not talking about nuclear weapons here, we’re talking about a propulsion system on a submarine, and if we don’t have that system, then we won’t have that capability going forward and it’s a really important capability for the country.”
AUKUS Will Create Thousands Of Jobs: PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the conference that AUKUS is the best pathway for Australia to reinstate its position in the world, and bring the nation’s capabilities up to speed.
Labor Against War national convenor Marcus Strom says the pact, which outlines a pathway to Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, goes against Labor’s traditional anti-nuclear stance.
The government is adamant the submarines are in line with non-proliferation restrictions and will not lead to a civil nuclear industry or weapons.
But Mr. Albanese argued that the agreement would create thousands of “secure union jobs” and that the party would “set the highest nuclear Non-Proliferation standard for Australia’s acquisition of the submarines.”
“A bright future calls for more than sunny optimism,” he said.
“If you have come to the position, as I have, that Australia as an island continent needs submarines … it is compulsory … that you then analyse what is the best form of submarine for us to have,” he said.
“I have come to the position based upon advice and analysis that nuclear powered submarines are what Australia needs in the future.”
With Mr. Marles winning the debate, he would introduce a 32-paragraph statement that will detail how the pacts is consistent with Labor’s values, saying it would be added to Labor’s policy platform.
