Wollongong Residents Rally Against Potential Nuclear Submarine Base

On May 4, 2024, local residents in Wollongong, Australia, gathered to protest against possible plans to establish a nuclear submarine base in the region as part of the AUKUS agreement. The rally, which attracted around 500 people, was held during the annual May Day March and highlighted the community's concerns over regional stability, the climate crisis, and the allocation of resources.

Why this matters: The AUKUS pact has significant implications for regional security and global power dynamics, and the establishment of a nuclear submarine base in Australia could have far-reaching consequences for the Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, the allocation of massive resources to military technology raises questions about the prioritization of climate action and other pressing global issues.

Alexander Brown, a founding member of Wollongong Against War and Nukes (WAWAN), emphasized the group's strong opposition to the AUKUS plan. "We absolutely oppose the AUKUS plan full stop," stated Brown. He cited concerns that the AUKUS pact is "some kind of war-mongering agreement" that threatens regional stability and diverts resources away from addressing the causes of the climate crisis.

Port Kembla, situated 10 km south of Wollongong, is one of the potential sites being considered for the nuclear submarine base, alongside Newcastle and Brisbane. However, the current Labor government has not yet decided on the location, with a decision expected to be made "late in this decade."

Arthur Rorris, head of the South Coast Labor Council, stressed that a nuclear submarine base is a significant moral issue for the region and a major concern for the community. "Our port has a long history of being a civil port... We don't think that having a nuclear base is consistent with that," Rorris stated, emphasizing the region's history of advocating for peace and global harmony.

The AUKUS pact, which centers around Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines from the United States and Britain, comes with a hefty price tag of up to 368 billion Australian dollars (243 billion U.S. dollars). Brown criticized the pact, arguing that it will lead to Australia increasingly coming under U.S. military control and diverting resources from pressing issues like theclimate crisis. "I have young children and they're going to grow up in a world of increasing climate chaos. But instead of that, we're wasting 368 billion dollars on obsolete military technology for no obvious reason,"Brown lamented.

The protest in Wollongong underscores the growing concerns among local residents about the potential establishment of a nuclear submarine base in theirregion. As the Australian government continues to weigh its options for the location of the base, the voices of the community in Wollongong serve as a powerful reminder of the need to consider the long-term implications and priorities for the nation and its people.

Key Takeaways

• 500 people protested in Wollongong, Australia against a potential nuclear submarine base.
• The AUKUS pact could have far-reaching consequences for regional security and global power dynamics.
• The base's estimated cost is 368 billion AUD (243 billion USD), diverting resources from climate action.
• Port Kembla, Newcastle, and Brisbane are potential sites for the base, with a decision expected late this decade.
• Locals oppose the base, citing concerns over regional stability, climate crisis, and resource allocation.