New documents show the dangers of an AUKUS nuclear submarine base on Australia's east coast. With Port Kembla being put as the frontrunner for the East Coast US submarine base, and Newcastle in the mix, these documents confirm that Labor is placing a military target on the largest population centre in the country.
Documents released today, following pressure from NSW State MLC Abigail Boyd, cover discussions and advice from the NSW State Government in 2022 and 2023 on the use of ports in Newcastle and Port Kembla for an AUKUS submarine base.
These documents reveal that Port Kembla is the preferred site based on a cost-benefit analysis, but the option of Newcastle remains open. There was an acknowledgement that the East Coast base would not be accepted by the community, "because residents are likely to perceive the [base] as a source of risk due to there being nuclear reactors on board the submarines and the military base being a potential military target."
The documents also noted the negative impact the base will have on the community, saying: "The relocation of NSW residents represents a net cost, which may be borne by the resident or by NSW Government through financial compensation. Displaced NSW residents may also result in frictional unemployment, which will involve lost wages and may also involve additional re-training costs."
The State and Federal Governments were also determined to keep the decision secret, which was seen as more important than open and transparent consultation with the local community.
Bases for US nuclear submarines have been announced near Perth and Adelaide at HMAS Stirling and Osborne, respectively. However, the Federal Government has been silent on the East Coast base.
Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson on Defence, said: "The documents show that both the State and Federal Governments know full well that this US nuclear submarine base will be damaging and dangerous for the community."
"It's no surprise that people don't want to live next to a bunch of floating nuclear reactors with a big military target on them. It's also no surprise that the State and Federal governments are desperate to hide this truth from the public.
"We have seen in Perth and Adelaide how Governments have run roughshod over the local community and forced AUKUS submarine facilities on them.
"Labor knows that putting a giant US nuclear submarine base in someone's backyard is not popular, but instead of reversing that dangerous policy, they push on in secret. We now see this taking place in NSW."
"These documents say as clear as day that any East Coast nuclear submarine base will be a priority military target.
"We are watching the US actively driving war and instability around the world and instead of distancing Australia from that conflict, we have Labor, One Nation and the Coalition inviting that into our homes.
"Trump will happily start a war, then not lift a finger when US bases in allied states get targeted. The Greens don't want that for Australia, and that's what sets us apart from Labor, One Nation and the Liberals."
NSW State MLC Abigail Boyd, and Greens NSW Spokesperson for Treasury and Industry, said: "People have a right to know if their town is about to go nuclear. It should not have required a parliamentary order, followed by a lengthy battle involving a Senior Counsel, to finally get these documents released.
"These documents spell out exactly what the impact of AUKUS will mean - a collapse in house prices, businesses closing, and an enormous cost to the community, all while multinational weapons companies print money.
"The Labor Government know exactly how radioactive this decision is. So now they've finished crunching the numbers, they've decided to play dumb. This feigned ignorance of the preferred location represents a total breakdown in proper democratic function, denying communities the right for input and consultation. It denies these communities the opportunity to realise their own hopes and aspirations for their communities.
"The NSW Labor Government, like the Coalition Government before them, have been caught out treating people's lives and livelihoods as entries in a spreadsheet. They have calculated exactly the misery and distress a nuclear base in Port Kembla or Newcastle would cause."
