Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN)
IPAN Patrons: Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe & Kellie Tranter
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9 December 2024
- Announced examination of Australia Submarine Agency shows cracks in AUKUS
- Nearly half of Australian voters support a review of AUKUS and nuclear sub acquisition
- USA not building submarines fast enough to meet their own needs, let alone Australia’s
- USA preference is to base ‘their’ nuclear attack submarines in our ports
Yesterday’s announcement that Former Defence secretary Dennis Richardson will examine the Australian Submarine Agency ‘s (ASA) structure, staff makeup and direction, in order to improve its performance, further highlights the cracks in Australia’s $368 billion AUKUS nuclear submarine program, according to Mr Justin Tutty, speaking on behalf of the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN).
Three days ago the Australia Strategic Policy Institute publicly stated that:
‘Australia should start planning for acquisition of at least 12 submarines of the French Suffren design. The current AUKUS plan for eight nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) has always been flawed, and now its risks are piling up.’[i]
This comes less than two months after revelations of dissatisfaction within and outside the ASA[ii] and after a recent report prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), an influential research body in the United States providing research to US Congress members and committees, provided alternative scenarios around AUKUS for consideration, including that Australia no longer purchase US submarines but instead have American boats perform missions on its behalf and concentrate on Pillar Two of AUKUS[iii].
It is also revealing that amongst Australian voters, support for pouring $35 Million a day every day for 30 years into AUKUS is declining.
Very recent polling shows that almost half of voters, 48 per cent, want the Australian government to review the AUKUS defence agreement and acquisition of nuclear submarines after the election of Donald Trump. In fact, only 19 per cent of voters are against a review, with even 45 per cent of Coalition voters supporting a review.
The US have made it known publicly that they have failed to raise their production to a level that will satisfy their own (elevated) domestic ambition, let alone for any additional submarines for Australia to be ready in the 2030s.
Just a week ago, the Biden administration asked the US Congress for $8.8 billion (AUD) in emergency funding so they can meet shortfalls with the US Virginia-class submarine program.[iv]
The USA have clearly stated that their first priority is to build its own planned Columbia class boats[v]. ‘It appears to IPAN that what the USA really wants is to use Australian ports for their nuclear attack submarines as a closer launching base against China, and be paid for the privilege’, stated Mr Tutty.
IPAN does not believe AUKUS Pillar 1 or 2 arrangements are in the best interest of Australians.
‘It is time the Australian government really listened to and acted on voters’ concerns about AUKUS’, said Mr Tutty.
IPAN, which is totally opposed to AUKUS, calls on the Australian Government to not just examine the ASA but to institute a thorough and transparent independent review all aspects of AUKUS including pillar 2, given the $368 billion of taxpayers’ money at stake, stated Mr Tutty.
Communities around the Adelaide shipyard in Osborn and Garden Island (Rockingham, south of Perth) have been blindsided by announcements for handling and storage of nuclear waste.
‘The announced review should be expanded to also include expansive public consultation of these significant proposals regarding nuclear waste’, stated Mr Tutty.
ENDS
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For Media Interviews: Justin Tutty 0424 028 741 and Annette Brownlie 0431 597 256
Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow 0403 611 815
Bio: Justin Tutty is a Darwin-based anti-nuclear activist and founding member of IPAN
Bio: Annette Brownlie is a founding member of the Brisbane based community peace organisation, Just Peace Queensland, and the current (and inaugural) chairperson of the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) and has served in this position for a decade.
[i] https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/aukus-risks-are-piling-up-australia-must-prepare-to-build-french-ssns-instead/
[ii] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-20/aukus-boss-defends-project-amid-frustrations-staff-turnover/10437292
[iii] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-17/report-suggests-australia-dump-aukus-nuclear-submarine-plans/104486868
[iv] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-29/aukus-emergency-funding-for-virginia-class-submarines-biden/104662236
[v] Top admiral warns US far behind on building submarines needed to meet Aukus target | Aukus | The Guardian