Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you to Senator Thorpe for the question. She references our platform and our consistent position over many years about the importance of non-proliferation. We have been strong advocates for both nuclear and non-nuclear states to comply with their obligations under the non-proliferation treaty. We've also been advocates for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty coming into force, and we are a friend of that.

In relation to the submarines that you describe, obviously the US is well aware of Australia's position. While the submarines are obviously US submarines, and we can't comment for them, the US is aware of Australia's position. I would emphasise that AUKUS, which you started with, is for the provision of nuclear powered submarines, not nuclear armed submarines, and it is very important. I'm not suggesting you are, Senator Thorpe, but there are some other countries who've sought to blur that distinction as part of their anti-AUKUS position. We have been very clear: Australia never seeks, and will not seek, to be nuclear armed.