Illawarra groups want Port Kembla ruled out for AUKUS nuclear submarine base
Garry Keane says the Port Kembla Declaration reflects the same values as the Dalfram strike. (ABC Illawara: Penny Burfitt)
In short:
More than 40 organisations have signed a declaration calling on the federal government to rule out Port Kembla as a future nuclear submarine base.
The site was shortlisted as a possible location for an east coast base in 2022, but local groups say it would harm the community and industry.
What's next?
The federal government says it will not make a decision on the location of the east coast base until later this decade.
More than 40 organisations have called on the federal government to rule out Port Kembla as a future location for a nuclear submarine base under the AUKUS deal.
The Port Kembla Declaration — signed by 43 local, state and national organisations — was launched as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese locked in a meeting with US President Trump in October, amid uncertainty around the future of the AUKUS deal.
The declaration was unveiled at a memorial to the historic Dalfram strike at the port.
The Dalfram dispute saw workers undertake nine weeks of industrial action in 1938. (Facebook: Dalfram Dispute 1938)
The 1938 anti-war strike saw wharfies at Port Kembla refuse to load pig iron onto steamships bound for Japan, including the Dalfram, amid concerns about its use in the military conflict with China at the time.
"We're here in the same spirit, to launch the Port Kembla Declaration," South Coast Labour Council president Tina Smith said.
"Port Kembla is not for sale, we want no nuclear base here."
The declaration was signed by trade unions, church groups, local Australian Greens branches, Health Cities Australia and dozens of other groups.
It raises concerns about health, safety, industry jobs and transparency around plans for the site, as well as the potential for Wollongong to become a military target if the base goes ahead.
Representatives from organisations that signed the declaration have attended its launch. (ABC Illawarra: Penny Burfitt)
"You've got one of the major trading ports in the country that would be impacted — I don't think it makes any sense to anybody," the NSW Maritime Union's Garry Keane said.
"Our union has always supported peace over confrontation and the Dalfram dispute is a prime example of that — we will stand by those principles and do everything we can to oppose a nuclear submarine base in Port Kembla."
In 2023, defence, government and industry figures told the ABC that Port Kembla, shortlisted as a possible site for a new east coast submarine base by the Morrison government in 2022, was the strongly favoured option.
The declaration outlines concerns about a potential nuclear submarine base at Port Kembla. (ABC Illawarra: Penny Burfitt)
Wollongong Against War and Nukes president Gem Romuld said in the absence of any consultation or clarity since then, the community was using the declaration to make its stance clear.
"We're concerned that plans are being made behind closed doors to advance the case for a nuclear submarine base in Port Kembla," she said.
"The government is not transparent about this, and we're concerned that they could go ahead with an announcement and override local opposition to establish a base here at any time."
The ABC reported Port Kembla was the preferred option for an east coast submarine base in 2023. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)
Planning for ports raises questions
In August, the NSW Department of Planning refused a Freedom of Information application by former South Australian Senator Rex Patrick for records pertaining to a submarine base at either Newcastle or Port Kembla.
In documents shared with the ABC, the department's solicitor said that "premature disclosure" of the requested information could prejudice cabinet deliberations, as the records included information which revealed "the methodology of analysis used for inputs into the final business case being prepared for cabinet on this issue".
NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully dismissed as baseless any speculation that the government was secretly preparing a business case for Port Kembla at the time.
The AUKUS deal is expected to see nuclear-powered submarines entering service for Australia. (Supplied: US Indo-Pacific Command)
In a statement, the state government reinforced the position, denying any work was being done on a case for Port Kembla or Newcastle.
"These documents all relate to the Perrottet government and cabinet relations from that period," a spokesperson said.
The federal government said in a statement it had agreed in principle to establishing an east coast facility for Australia's future submarine capability.
"A decision won't be taken until later in the decade," a spokesperson said.
Gem Romuld says the collective will support any community opposed to a base on the east coast. (ABC Illawarra: Penny Burfitt)
Ms Romuld said the declaration did not just oppose a base in Port Kembla, but also supported opposition in Newcastle or other ports.
"We'll work with other communities … along the east coast as well," she said.
"We're saying not here, not anywhere."