Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC additional comments

1.1The Western Australian State Government has significant responsibilities in ensuring the successful delivery of AUKUS in Western Australia, particularly in ensuring the State is nuclear ‘sovereign ready’ by the time of the first submarine Rotation Force (SRF-West) in WA from 2027.

1.2Under these arrangements, AUKUS partners will have a rotational presence at HMAS Stirling of up to five nuclear-powered submarines. SRF-West will help Australia build the necessary operational capabilities and skills to be sovereign ready, so Australia can safely and securely own, operate, maintain, and regulate our own fleet of nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s.

1.3Under these Bills, the Western Australian State Government’s significant responsibilities include: DFES as the primary first responders to nuclear naval emergencies, the Chief Health Officer on issues relating to how the nuclear-powered submarine enterprise and its regulation affect Western Australia, and the social licence required to ensure AUKUS is a success in Western Australia.

1.4Given these responsibilities, the Western Australian State Government was invited to appear, but declined to do so. This lack of willingness to engage with this inquiry is of significant concern and is consistent with their lack of engagement and progress in all AUKUS enabling requirements.

1.5The Committee's emphasis on the importance of engaging with local stakeholders highlights the significant necessity for a mechanism through which community concerns can be effectively articulated. Without proactive community and stakeholder engagement, there is a risk of scare campaigns from the active anti-nuclear movement, limiting the community’s awareness of accurate information surrounding nuclear naval vessels, which is has started and is of significant concern.

Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC

Liberal Senator for Western Australia