Question regarding the potential maintenance of US and UK submarines at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) and the associated impacts on local industries, land acquisition, and safety measures. The answer indicates no decisions have been made yet.

AnsweredQoN 1868Legislative Council
Asked
27 February 2024
Portfolio
Defence Industry

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to US Virginia-Class submarines and UK SSN Astute-Class submarines that will begin rotation at HMAS Stirling as of 2027, and future vessels of both classes that are planned to be purchased under AUKUS, and I ask: (a) will the maintenance of these vessels be undertaken at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) at Henderson on the WA mainland; (b) if yes to (a), will local and civil industries based at AMC need to be relocated; (c) if yes to (b), where will they be relocated to; (d) has the Department of Defence approached the state government to: (i) acquire land at Henderson for this purpose; (ii) lease existing state government facilities; and (iii) use the facilities of an existing defence contractor; and (e) what safety and security measures will be enacted, including buffer zones for nearby residential housing, leisure facilities and other work sites, and by whom?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
16 April 2024
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services representing the Minister for Defence Industry
Response time
9 days
The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation advise:
(a) A decision on whether US Virginia-Class submarines, UK SSN Astute-Class submarines and future nuclear powered submarines will be maintained at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) at Henderson has not yet been made.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) (i – iii) No
(e) It is expected that safety and security measures will be considered by the commonwealth government in consultation with the state government and other stakeholders once a decision on whether nuclear powered submarines will be maintained at the AMC has been made.

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