Australia can neither ‘confirm nor deny’ US bombers carry nuclear weapons

The government won’t be drawn on whether strategic bombers regularly rotating through the Top End are carrying nuclear weapons.

A senior defence public servant has failed to rule out whether United States strategic B-52 bombers, which regularly rotate through Australia’s Top End, carry nuclear weapons.

Department of Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty fronted senate estimates on Wednesday and could not rule out the possibility, saying it was the US’ policy to neither confirm nor deny.

Later, Defence Minister Richard Marles told ABC News that Australia “understood” the American position.

“Despite all the noise... nothing has changed relative to former governments over the last few decades of both Liberal and Labor persuasions,” he said.

“America maintains a policy of ambiguity in terms of the nature of assets that are on their platforms, and they do that so as to amplify their extended nuclear deterrence. That’s an American policy.”

Mr Moriarty said the stationing of nuclear weapons in Australia was prohibited under the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty, but the treaty did not prevent visits by the US bombers.

He said US bomber aircraft had been visiting Australia since the early 1980s and have been conducting training since 2005.

“Successive Australian governments have understood and respected the longstanding US policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons on particular platforms,” he said.

Defence secretary Greg Moriarty, Senator Penny Wong and chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell appeared before senate estimates. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“Australia will continue to fully comply with our international obligations. And the US understands and respects Australia’s international obligations with respect to nuclear weapons.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong also maintained the Albanese government’s support for the US’ position.

“But we remain fully committed to the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty. And we will fully comply with our internal obligations, which are well understood by the US,” she said.

Upon further questioning, Senator Wong said she could not go further than what Mr Moriarty had, and accused Greens senator David Shoebridge of “trying to drum up concern”.

He denied he was fear mongering, rather that he was seeking clarification.

Senator Wong faced a grilling at estimates. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

‘SPY CAMS’

Estimates heard Chinese-linked surveillance cameras were still in operation across select sites as recently as December last year.

The department confirmed it had identified 41 systems across 17 sites in November and December 2022, following reports out of the US and the United Kingdom about banning Chinese-manufactured devices.

Last week, Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed defence officials were carrying out an audit of all sites intending to remove the devices.

Deputy secretary Celia Perkins confirmed devices had been removed.

Estimates heard defence began removing the Chinese-linked surveillance cameras from military bases and buildings as early as 2018, following security advice.

SUBMARINES

Earlier, Mr Moriarty said an announcement on what Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines will look like is expected to be made by the end of next month.

“Defence is working closely with our Aukus partners to develop the optimal pathway for Australia’s acquisition of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines,” he said.

“We are on track for an announcement this quarter.

“The acquisition pathway is more than just the platform. We have also been assessing the safety, security, workforce and industrial base requirements to deliver Australian nuclear-powered submarines.

“Aukus is maturing as a genuine trilateral partnership, where partners engage as equals, mutually respect each other’s sovereignty and focus on the rapid delivery of cutting edge capabilities that are relevant to all of us.”

Defence secretary Greg Moriarty faced senate estimates on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Moriarty said the Aukus partnership would help Australia maintain its capability into the future, and “complement our collective efforts to ensure regional stability and security”.

Mr Moriarty’s appearance comes a day after former defence force chief Sir Angus Houston and Prof. Stephen Smith handed the Defence Strategic Review to the Prime Minister and Defence Minister.

Senator Wong, under questioning from her coalition counterpart Simon Birmingham, said the government intended to ensure there was enough in the government’s budget to fund defence, particularly capabilities, in line with the recommendations of the DSR.

“We will ensure defence has the capacity to keep the nation safe,” she said.

She noted the government would consider all aspects of the review “diligently”.

Senator Penny Wong said the government would closely consider the recommendations in the Defence Strategic Review. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

She reiterated what Mr Marles and Anthony Albanese had said on Tuesday, that a declassified version of the review would be made public eventually.

Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie asked if she – and other members of the foreign affairs, defence and trade legislation senate committee – would be able to read the classified report in a “secret room”.

Senator Wong said she would take that on notice, adding that the government intended to provide briefings to the opposition and the committee.

BUDGET UNDER PRESSURE

Mr Moriarty also revealed the defence budget was “under pressure” and that there was a need to accelerate capability development.

“We’re very realistic about the challenges we face. The budget that we have is fully committed and the defence strategic review will help us further sharpen those priorities and take hard decisions about what we need to focus on and what needs to be prioritised and perhaps even cut,” he said.

He conceded “shrinking strategic warning times and rapidly advancing technology” meant Australia needed to innovate quickly and develop its own industrial base.

When questioned by reporters on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Marles said the defence budget was expected to rise as a result of strategic threat.

“As we look forward, we do find ourselves in a strategically complex environment, which I think is going to have an increasing call on the federal budget,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles receive the Defence Strategic Review from Sir Angus Houston. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Originally published as Australia can neither ‘confirm nor deny’ US bombers carry nuclear weapons