Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Minister Wong. As part of AUKUS arrangements, you are planning to host US nuclear-capable, long-range supersonic B-52 bombers at RAAF Tindal in the NT as well as US Virginia class submarines at HMAS Stirling in WA. These submarines could become nuclear capable, like the B-52s, as well as nuclear fuelled in the near future. In its national platform, Labor recognises that nuclear weapons pose significant risks to this country. Given this, will you require the US to declare whether any of their visiting platforms are carrying nuclear weapons?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to 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.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Thorpe, first supplementary?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If the government will not require transparency regarding the presence of nuclear weapons in this country, do you therefore accept that nuclear weapons could be launched by planes or submarines being based or hosted by Australia?

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

Australia does not seek to be nuclear armed, full stop. We don't.

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the eighties, Malcolm Fraser required foreign military forces, including visiting US aircraft, to be unarmed and carry no bombs—meaning nuclear bombs. This request was complied with. Given Labor's supposed opposition to nuclear weapons, would you consider requesting the same?

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

Again, Senator Thorpe, what I would say is that the United States and all parties are aware of Australia's position in relation to nuclear weapons.