❓ Question seeks clarity on when the Premier was informed about US nuclear submarine maintenance at Henderson and if briefed on its impacts. Answer deflects, stating no decision on precinct definition means no briefings occurred.
AnsweredQoN 754Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Defence industry—Henderson Defence Precinct
754. Hon Sophie McNeill to the Leader of the House representing the Premier:
I refer to the 14
September announcement that, as part of AUKUS, the United States has been
invited to use the Henderson Defence Precinct for maintenance of its
nuclear-powered submarines, and Minister Dawson's statement on 27 August at a budget
estimates hearing that discussions continue about this issue but that no
decision has been made by the Commonwealth about the defence precinct
definition.
(1) What date was the Premier notified about the Commonwealth's
decision to allow US nuclear-powered submarines to undergo maintenance onshore
at Henderson?
(2) Has the Premier been briefed about the impacts
of this decision on security, public access to Cockburn Sound, environmental
impacts on Cockburn Sound and onshore nuclear waste storage?
(3) If no to (2), when will these briefings occur,
please?
754. Hon Sophie McNeill to the Leader of the House representing the Premier:
I refer to the 14
September announcement that, as part of AUKUS, the United States has been
invited to use the Henderson Defence Precinct for maintenance of its
nuclear-powered submarines, and Minister Dawson's statement on 27 August at a budget
estimates hearing that discussions continue about this issue but that no
decision has been made by the Commonwealth about the defence precinct
definition.
(1) What date was the Premier notified about the Commonwealth's
decision to allow US nuclear-powered submarines to undergo maintenance onshore
at Henderson?
(2) Has the Premier been briefed about the impacts
of this decision on security, public access to Cockburn Sound, environmental
impacts on Cockburn Sound and onshore nuclear waste storage?
(3) If no to (2), when will these briefings occur,
please?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. I have (a), (b), (c) and (d)
in my answer to question (2), which is different from what the member read out,
but I think it answers what the member asked.
(1) The Australian government announced the AUKUS Optimal
Pathway for Australia, an $8 billion investment into HMAS Stirling , in March 2023.
(2)–(3) On 16 October 2024, the Western
Australian government signed a cooperation agreement between the Commonwealth
of Australia and the state of Western Australia to deliver and sustain
Australia's future defence capabilities. Given no decision has been made by the
Australian government about the defence precinct definition, no briefings have
occurred on its potential impact.
honourable member for some notice of the question. I have (a), (b), (c) and (d)
in my answer to question (2), which is different from what the member read out,
but I think it answers what the member asked.
(1) The Australian government announced the AUKUS Optimal
Pathway for Australia, an $8 billion investment into HMAS Stirling , in March 2023.
(2)–(3) On 16 October 2024, the Western
Australian government signed a cooperation agreement between the Commonwealth
of Australia and the state of Western Australia to deliver and sustain
Australia's future defence capabilities. Given no decision has been made by the
Australian government about the defence precinct definition, no briefings have
occurred on its potential impact.
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