The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties today tabled the report on 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 report makes eight recommendations, including a recommendation that supports the agreement and recommends that the Australian Government take binding treaty action. The report was agreed to by all Committee members.
The AUKUS agreement creates a framework to facilitate the communication and exchange of naval nuclear propulsion information between Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (US). The agreement also enables 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 has heard a wide range of evidence throughout the inquiry and has determined the agreement to be in the national interest. Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines provides our nation with not only a strategic advantage, but also an opportunity to grow Australian jobs, education and infrastructure.’
‘The successful implementation of AUKUS will require upskilling the Australian workforce. This is an opportunity for our education sector and will create jobs that last for the life of the agreement and beyond. The 20,000 jobs added by the AUKUS program will diversify Australia’s workforce and will provide high-paying jobs for trades and tertiary educated workers alike.’
‘In addition to recommending binding treaty action, the Committee has made recommendations that seek to ensure that the Australian people are continuously engaged and informed throughout the implementation of the agreement and resulting AUKUS program. These recommendations include expanding and enhancing community education activities to inform the community on how AUKUS will benefit Australia, and help to dispel a number of emerging AUKUS myths,’ said Ms Chesters.
The Committee’s report also includes recommendations concerning infrastructure funding for local communities, enhanced engagement with First Nations peoples and local environmental groups, and parliamentary scrutiny of instruments resulting from the AUKUS agreement.
The report can be accessed online and further information about the inquiry is available on the Committee website.
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