Port Kembla nuclear submarines: ‘I’m disgusted’ Illawarra divided possible base
There has been no love lost between politicians and political prospects in the debates about whether Port Kembla should house the $10 billion nuclear subs base.
Illawarra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Illawarra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The announcement that Port Kembla could be home to Australia‘s yet-to-be-built nuclear-powered submarines has deepened the divide between the left and right of Illawarra politics.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday outlined the federal government‘s plans to build a new base for the submarines, which will use technical nuclear information provided by either the United States or United Kingdom under the AUKUS agreement.
Port Kembla, Newcastle and Brisbane have been short-listed as the “preferred” locations by the Australian Defence Force for the defence facility.
The three coastal cities met many of the criteria required to achieve Australia’s “strategic objectives,” including being close to primary maritime training and operational areas, deep water, weapons storage and loading facilities.
The topic has riled figures on both sides of the political spectrum, however, members of Labor in the Illawarra were quiet on the issue until they were contacted by The Illawarra Star.
State member for Wollongong Paul Scully said he had “preliminary views” on Mr Morrison’s comments in a speech at the Lowy Institute given the significance of the port for his electorate.
“I will leave detailed comment to my federal colleagues as it is a federal issue,” Mr Scully said.
“but if the government is seriously considering Port Kembla as it seems to be, should be a bit more upfront about the implications of a sub base.
“I can understand people’s concern about Port Kembla potentially becoming a target, but Port Kembla has always been a target … as a steel city it was and always will be a target for international forces.”
Labor’s candidate for Cunningham Alison Byrnes also called on the federal government to release further details about the proposal.
“This is an announcement of an announcement of a committee,” Ms Byrnes said.
“Our community deserves to be told the details of any proposal – rather than dropping a headline late on a Sunday night.
“Labor supports AUKUS and asked for a bipartisan approach which the government has clearly rejected.
“Given the importance of this multi-decade, multi-government decision to Australia’s national interests in this pre-caretaker period, Labor seeks deeper consultation on these important decisions.
“Our community should be given more information, details and plans for consultation.”
Greens candidate for Cunningham, Dylan Green, has slammed Mr Morrison‘s suggestion given the ongoing conflicts around the world with the 23-year-old adding the city’s port still has a prosperous future sans submarines.
I do not want to see my community getting caught up in an arms race. More weapons does not mean more safety, it means more destruction when shit hits the fan.#AusPol#NoNuclearSubs
— Dylan Green (@greenforgreens) March 6, 2022
“As the threat of nuclear war rises there could not be a worse time for Scott Morrison to paint a large target on Port Kembla and the Illawarra by making it part of the global nuclear weapons industry,“ Mr Green said.
“Morrison is spruiking this as an economic opportunity, but war should never become an industry. Our public money should be spent on addressing our biggest problems like climate change and inequality.”
“The Greens have a vision for Port Kembla that places the Illawarra at the centre of a sustainable, circular economy. This investment is focused on renewable energy construction and supply, and the local industry and manufacturing that flows from that.“
Kiama MP Gareth Ward threw his support behind Port Kembla housing the subs while rejecting the notion it would make the region a bigger target to potential enemies.
“Nowra has been the home of the Navy‘s Fleet Air Arm for decades,” the Liberal-turned-independent said.
“Our subs are currently in Sydney. Our service personnel don‘t make us a target – they make us proud.
“We need to be a nation that builds things and there is no place more capable of manufacturing Australia’s defence capabilities than our region and its people.
“The Illawarra is the strength our nation needs and I’m backing Port Kembla not just for the jobs and investment, but I‘m backing it because it’s the right thing to do.”
When @NSWParlLA returns, I’ll be calling on all sides to back my Notice of Motion formally endorsing Port Kembla as the best option for Australian subs in New South Wales. #auspol#nswpol
— Gareth Ward (@garethjward) March 7, 2022
Mr Ward also called out the silence from his Illawarra Labor colleagues on the day of the announcement.
“I‘m disgusted that not a single Labor MP has said a word about such an incredible opportunity for our region.,” he said.
“I know what our region is capable of and I‘m backing it all the way. Labor are more concerned with upsetting the Greens than jobs, industry and the defence of our country.”
Two kids charged in alleged murder investigation
Police have now charged four people in connection to a fatal incident near an Illawarra train station last month with two 13-year-old boys the latest to be arrested and hauled before the courts.
Mein Kampf man coerced child to torch ex’s $90k ute
A prison inmate concerned about his treatment in custody has been warned by a judge he “may need to wear a beanie for life” in order to cover a massive tattoo of Adolf Hitler’s manifesto Mein Kampf on his forehead.