Wong to tell agency chief Australia still against nuclear weapons despite subs deal

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency will be briefed on Australia’s plans to ­acquire nuclear-powered sub­marines as he visits the country this week.

Australia’s plans to ­acquire nuclear-powered sub­marines will not affect the country’s commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency will be briefed on Australia’s plans to ­acquire nuclear-powered sub­marines under the AUKUS agreement as he visits the country this week.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she would meet IAEA ­director-general Rafael Grossi on Monday, with the “challen­ging” international security ­environment on the agenda.

Australia’s commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons – which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology – was “unwavering”, she said.

Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong. Picture: Joshua Paul/The Australian

“Australia is a longstanding supporter of the IAEA’s mission to harness the peaceful use of ­nuclear technology in areas like medicine, industrial processes and environmental monitoring, as well as upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime,” Senator Wong said ahead of the visit.

“I look forward to discussing with Mr Grossi the Australian government’s open and transparent engagement with the IAEA on nuclear safeguards.

“This includes our approach for the acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS, in which we are committed to the highest possible non-proliferation standards.”

Defence Minister Richard Marles has said he wanted to know the design of the next generation submarines by March and where, when and how they would be built.

While speculation has been mounting that the Albanese government would choose an American submarine design over one from Britain, Mr Marles said there were several options and there was no “obvious choice”.

Senator Wong said Australia supported the IAEA’s role in ­addressing proliferation risks in North Korea and Iran and mitigating nuclear security risks ­created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Two-thirds of Coalition MPs in the last parliament backed lifting the prohibition on nuclear power.

Several Labor MPs had also urged the party to reconsider its ­long-term opposition to the fuel source.

Mr Grossi will visit the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation as part of his trip.