Labor back option to create new military base on east coast

Labor is backing a new military base for nuclear powered submarines on Australia’s east coast. Here’s where it could be built.

Exclusive: The Albanese government will back an option to build Australia’s first military base in 30 years to berth half the new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines on the east coast.

And it is likely some of the estimated $10bn infrastructure cost will be shared with allies under the AUKUS security pact with the base expected to host increased visits by US and UK craft.

Defence Minister Richard Marles told News Corp Australia he would not pre-empt the strategic review into Defence’s future needs nor the separate review into the AUKUS submarine program, both due next March.

But he said Defence experts who had being designing the east coast base option for some time were clear on the point of its strategic need.

Defence Minister Richard Marles and former defence chief Sir Angus Houston with members of Australia’s strategic policy community at Russell offices in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

“The (Defence) experts have said it is important, that’s what’s in our mind and so that is an important observation that that is what we are imaging,” Mr Marles said of the proposed east coast submarine pen.

“I think it is really important that we allow the force-posture/force-structure review to do its work and so there is a degree to which I want to let that review do its work but we are a two ocean nation and we are going to need to make sure that we have an ability to operate right around the nation.”

Defence’s review into the procurement and needs of new submarines is reviewing various sites from Western Port Bay in Victoria, Port Kembla, Jervis Bay and Newcastle in NSW through to Brisbane and Gladstone in Queensland.

HMAS Rankin conducts helicopter transfers in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia, as part of training assessments to ensure the boat is ready to deploy. Picture: Defence

It was Labor legend Prime Minister Bob Hawke in his 1987 defence doctrine who created the two ocean nation policy that outlined the need for submarines to be based on both sides of the continent including Jervis Bay. But the entire sub fleet was instead based at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia leaving the majority of the country’s population without an undersea deterrent.

Days before the last federal election, the Coalition government wanting to show strength on national security announced its backing of a 10-year Defence study into east coast basing.

Submarine Institute of Australia executive director David Nicholls said on Monday Labor’s commitment to a strategic east coast option was welcome, his preferred site would be Gladstone.

Commanding Officer HMAS Adelaide, Captain Stuart Watters RAN with Defence Minister Richard Marles and Petty Officer Jacob Machen and Marine Engineer Officer Lieutenant Commander Kirstin Norris at Fleet Base East in Sydney. Picture: ABIS Benjamin Ricketts

He said in the 1990s, Western Australia was practical for conventional submarines because of the boat’s speed and capability and the then operation area of interest.

“But I think we have got to have in a country this size, particularly when you are expanding a nuclear-powered submarine force, you need a two ocean based navy … it makes sense particularly now with nuclear powered submarines that can overcome the tyranny of distance than a diesel boat can,” he said.

“The problem with all these things is it’s not about building a jetty and accommodation, you actually have to have a centre of industrial competence to provide the sort of maintenance and support that is necessary.”

Originally published as Labor back option to create new military base on east coast