The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold the third public hearing today 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).

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 22 October 2024

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold the third public hearing today 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. Committee Chair, Ms Lisa Chesters MP, said ‘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.’ ‘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. Prior to 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 24 October. Programs for all hearings and further information about the inquiry is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Tuesday 22 October 2024 Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm (AWST) (approximately) Location: Anglesea 1, Mercure Perth, 10 Irwin Street, Perth 2.00pm - 3.00pm: Stop AUKUS WA, Nuclear Free WA, Conservation Council of WA Media enquiries Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair  Korey Fernando, Diary Manager  Korey.Fernando@aph.gov.au   (03) 5443 9055  For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

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).

Media release issue date: Friday, 18 October 2024

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) More information about the Committee and its inquiry can be found on the Committee’s website. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media enquiries Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair  Korey Fernando, Diary Manager  Korey.Fernando@aph.gov.au   (03) 5443 9055  For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

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).

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 16 October 2024

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 Media enquiries Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair Korey Fernando, Diary Manager Korey.Fernando@aph.gov.au (03) 5443 9055 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

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).

Media release issue date: Monday, 1 January 0001

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.   Media enquiries Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair  Kate Sutherland, Parliamentary Program Manager Kate.Sutherland@aph.gov.au 03 5443 9055 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.