Port Kembla proposed as Australia’s nuclear submarine base under AUKUS, sparking local opposition
Consensus Summary
Leaked documents from the former NSW Liberal government reveal Port Kembla as the preferred site for Australia’s east coast nuclear submarine base under the AUKUS agreement, despite warnings that it could make the area a military target. The documents, tabled in NSW parliament on May 17, 2026, were prepared in 2023 and highlight risks to local communities, including potential nuclear accidents and increased vulnerability to adversaries. Both the Guardian and ABC confirm Port Kembla, alongside Newcastle and Brisbane, was shortlisted in 2022, with the federal government initially committing to a decision by the end of 2023. However, current state and federal Labor governments have since delayed the decision until the end of the decade. Local opposition remains strong, with over 40 organisations signing the Port Kembla Declaration in 2025 to reject the base, citing concerns over housing, health, and transport impacts. The documents also suggest economic benefits, including $426 million in infrastructure improvements and high-paying jobs, but concede negative effects on local amenities and potential displacement of residents. Critics, including Greens senator David Shoebridge and the South Coast Labour Council, argue the base would increase Australia’s role in US military conflicts and make the country a target, while the NSW government insists no current work is being done on the proposal.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Port Kembla was identified as the preferred east coast location for Australia’s proposed nuclear submarine base in documents prepared by the former NSW Liberal government and tabled in NSW parliament on May 17, 2026.
- The documents warn that a Port Kembla nuclear submarine base could make the area 'a target for Australian military adversaries'.
- More than 40 organisations signed the Port Kembla Declaration in September 2025, opposing a nuclear submarine base in the area.
- The federal government announced in March 2022 its intention to build an east coast submarine base for nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement.
- Port Kembla, Newcastle, and Brisbane were shortlisted as potential nuclear base locations in 2022.
- The NSW government documents state the federal government committed to deciding the base location by the end of 2023, with operations planned for 2040.
- The documents reference a draft cost analysis report dated September 2023, prepared during the first year of the Minns government.
- The South Coast Labour Council (SCLC) secretary, Arthur Rorris, warned of political fallout and negative impacts on housing, health, and transport if Port Kembla is chosen.
- The NSW government documents estimate the east coast nuclear base would cost over $10 billion for facility and infrastructure requirements.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The South Coast Labour Council warned of 'political fallout' and described the base as 'surrendering Port Kembla to Trump’s Navy'.
- Labor Against War national convener Marcus Strom called on the NSW government to 'rule out a base at Port Kembla' and opposed 'a US nuclear base on the east coast of Australia'.
- The documents state Port Kembla’s outer harbour 'presents a viable alternative as a naval base, with the capacity to accommodate increased berthing, a dry dock, and a submarine facility'.
- The NSW government documents mention a $426 million economic benefit to the state from improved infrastructure and job growth.
- Greens senator David Shoebridge argued the base would 'put a target' on Australia’s largest population conurbation (7 million people between Newcastle and Illawarra).
- The documents note the public’s perception of risk for a nuclear submarine base compared to a nuclear power plant is unknown without further research.
- The probability of a nuclear accident at a submarine base is reduced because submarines are not always harbouring, but the base could be a military target.
- State Planning Minister Paul Scully dismissed suggestions the Minns government prepared any work referenced in the report, stating all work was done by the Perrottet government.
- The ABC revealed in 2023 that Port Kembla was Defence’s preferred location for an east coast nuclear submarine base.
- The documents were tabled in NSW parliament on May 17, 2026, after Greens MLC Abigail Boyd requested the 217-page report under privilege.
- The ban on secondary dwellings in Port Kembla was mentioned as unnecessary due to increased knowledge of flight paths and aircraft noise.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the federal government has consistently maintained a decision on the east coast base would be made 'later in the decade', but the NSW government documents claim the federal government committed to a decision by the end of 2023.
- The ABC reports that the Minns government denied undertaking any work referenced in the report, while the Guardian does not explicitly contradict this but focuses on the Perrottet government’s role.
Source Articles
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