East coast nuclear submarine base decision likely to be made after next federal election

ABC News, By defence correspondent Andrew Greene and Kelly Fuller 3 Apr 23

Senior Labor figures say a decision on where to put a future submarine base on Australia’s east coast is unlikely to be made until after the next federal election, insisting locking in a location is not an immediate government priority.

Key points:

Labor says a decision on where to put a future east-coast submarine base is unlikely to be made before next election
Port Kembla appears to be the preferred option, though residents are wary of becoming a military target
Officials claim they are in no rush and the new base is “not needed” until the 2040’s

Ahead of the formal unveiling of the AUKUS submarine plan in San Diego in March, the ABC revealed Port Kembla in New South Wales has firmed as the Defence Department’s preferred option following months of study examining three shortlisted sites, but the government says an announcement “won’t be rushed”.

Last year former prime minister Scott Morrison announced Port Kembla as one of three potential options for a new naval facility to house Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines, along with Brisbane and the NSW city of Newcastle.

Revelations that the busy commercial harbour south of Wollongong was the military’s favoured location has been met with mixed reactions from unions and businesses in the Illawarra community………………………………. more https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-04/east-coast-nuclear-submarine-base-decision-after-next-election/102181528