BACKGROUND
The AUKUS Nuclear-Powered Submarine Pathway announced in March 2023 by the US, UK and Australia, HMAS Stirling Naval Base, Garden Island in WA’s Cockburn Sound – Derbal Nara, means there are increasing visits of US nuclear powered submarines.
HMAS Stirling is also the intended home port of Australia’s first nuclear powered submarines. Three (possibly 4 or 5) US Virginia Class SSNs are to be purchased (pending Congress approval) from the US in the early 2030’s. Media reports claim at least 2 of these submarines will be 2nd hand with a purchase life span of only another 20 years. We strongly oppose this and are campaigning against these plans.
Australia has agreed to take responsibility for the highly-enriched-uranium nuclear waste management of these submarines.
The Federal government has allocated $8 billion to upgrade HMAS Stirling – but we are yet to see any formal proposal or environmental impacts statement.
Stop AUKUS WA works to increase community awareness of the public health, safety and environmental risks of naval nuclear reactors and nuclear waste storage.
The campaign opposes this nuclear creep and calls for a Nuclear Free Cockburn Sound – No Nuke Subs!
