Submission to AUKUS Public Inquiry – absurd that the seller of submarines is immune from any liability

Submission to AUKUS Public Inquiry – absurd that the seller of submarines is immune from any liability – Monica Mesch

179.Monica Mesch.

Subject: Agreement among the Government of Australia, the Government of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Government of
the United States of America for Cooperation Related to Naval Nuclear
Propulsion

I thank the Committee for allowing submissions relating to the above Agreement.

I particularly wish to submit my total disagreement with Part E of ARTICLE IV
Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plants, Related Equipment, and Material:-

E. Australia shall indemnify, subject to paragraph F of this Article, the United
States and the United Kingdom against any liability, loss, costs, damage or
injury (including third-party claims) arising out of, related to, or resulting from
Nuclear Risks connected with the design, manufacture, assembly, transfer, or
utilization of any Material or Equipment, including Naval Nuclear Propulsion
Plants and component parts and spare parts thereof, transferred or to
betransferred pursuant to this Article.

It is unconscionable that Australia, on behalf of its citizens, would sign off on
allowing this section in a treaty or otherwise with any dealings or purchases that
it makes with any country.

Ask anyone of your citizens if they’ve ever bought materials or equipment that
indemnify a supplier in the manner in which you propose?

It’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard of lately…. and ridiculous!