THE HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

STATEMENT
LABOR’S EMBARRASSING SNUB TO AUKUS PARTNERS

Wednesday 20 November 2024

The Albanese Government continues to embarrass Australia on the international stage, declining to join our AUKUS partners in a nuclear energy development pact.

The UK even released the plan saying Australia was “expected” to join before Labor frantically backpedalled.

Labor’s latest bungle would do little to instil confidence in the US and the UK who are trusting Australia to lift our game in preparation for the arrival of nuclear-powered submarines from 2027 – just two years away.

So stubborn is the Albanese Government that despite being willing to welcome nuclear-powered submarines to Australian ports, manage nuclear waste, and allow Australian Defence Force personnel to work and serve on nuclear-powered submarines, they refuse to even consider the concept of a civil nuclear industry in Australia.

It is hypocrisy at its finest.

Labor clearly has no plan to support Australian defence industry, which is calling out for cheap power to continue sovereign defence manufacturing, or our future nuclear workforce who will face limited job opportunities beyond AUKUS.

As the US and UK move towards delivering clean, affordable and reliable energy, the Albanese Government is turning their back on our partners to pursue their green agenda.

Australian defence industry and Australian Defence Force personnel are among those who will pay the price of Labor’s ignorance.

[ENDS]