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AUKUS

Federal politicsCommentsPremiumPre-AUKUS warning on need to entice workers to WA

Secret Defence documents warned the government before it signed the AUKUS deal that it may lose the competition with the mining sector for submarine workers because it can’t offer high enough pay.

Katina Curtis

Federal politicsCommentsPremiumAUKUS’ collaboration with Japan a ‘natural evolution’: Albo

Japan could work with the AUKUS partners on individual innovative technology projects, but the alliance between Australia, the US and the UK is not being expanded under new arrangements.

Katina Curtis

Federal politicsCommentsPremium‘Significant’ deadline for AUKUS dry dock revealed

Australia needs a dry dock that can accommodate nuclear-powered submarines by 2032 as the first significant milestone towards being able to carry out maintenance, but the Government is yet to decide a location.

Katina Curtis

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
POLITICSCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
AUKUS: Councils want safety alert over any nuclear incidents

A collection of southern councils wants draft laws underpinning the landmark AUKUS pact tweaked to guarantee ‘nuclear safety incidents’ related to submarines stationed at HMAS Stirling are reported publicly. 

Josh Zimmerman

Federal PoliticsCommentsPremiumUK Foreign Secretary downplays Donald Trump fears

The UK’s top diplomat David Cameron is downplaying concerns a second Donald Trump presidency could threaten the AUKUS alliance. 

Katina Curtis and Dan Jervis-Bardy

Federal PoliticsCommentsPremiumFeds’ $4.5b nuclear gift as WA workers head to Pearl Harbor

Australia announces it will give $4.5b to the UK to help cover the cost of doubling the size of the AUKUS factory building nuclear power units, while 100 West Aussies will head to Pearl Harbor for new jobs.

Katina Curtis

Federal PoliticsCommentsPremiumAustralia and UK sign defence co-operation deal

A deal has been signed between Australia and the United Kingdom to make it easier for forces and submarines to rotate between the two nations, benefiting WA as part of the AUKUS alliance. 

Kimberley Caines

AUKUS doubtsCommentsPremiumAnthony Albanese plays down shock US submarine call

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is playing down fears a surprise US move to halve its order of nuclear-powered submarines could threaten the AUKUS timeline.

Dan Jervis-Bardy

AUKUSCommentsPremiumUS begin nuclear submarine sales pitch to Aus Navy

The US sales pitch to Australians over nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS has fired up with the arrival of a vessel off Rockingham as the partners prepare to mark the first year of the agreement.

Dylan Caporn

DefenceCommentsPremiumUS official hesitant about WA’s preparedness for AUKUS

A senior US official is hesitant about Australia’s preparedness for AUKUS amid a stalemate over the infrastructure needed to get the WA bases and community ready for nuclear-powered submarines. 

Kimberley Caines

FEDERAL POLITICSCommentsPremiumBurke defends $57k spend on trip as being within ‘the rules’

Employment Relations Minister Tony Burke is defending his exorbitant US travel expenses as being within ‘the rules’ of the Department as he faces questions over the $57,000 spending spree.

Kimberley Caines

Uphill battleCommentsPremiumWA port under pressure to step up for AUKUS

Australia faces a massive uphill battle if it wants to be the fearsome defence superpower potentially made possible by the AUKUS agreement.

Kimberley Caines

Planning pause CommentsPremiumSecret briefings reveal Henderson sub upgrades on hold

Upgrades to the Henderson maritime precinct, including the much-needed dry dock, are on hold indefinitely.

Katina Curtis

‘really big deal’CommentsPremiumInflux of submariners bring housing, traffic concerns

A lack of housing and skilled tradies in WA threatens to put Australia’s landmark nuclear submarines program at risk, according to never-before-seen documents.

Katina Curtis

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Partners is chargeCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Australia in box seat on critical minerals: Albanese

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese believes American lawmakers recognise their country can’t do all the heavy lifting on climate change and will allow Australian critical minerals projects to access US incentives.

Katina Curtis

analysis
analysis
‘Our love is here to stay’CommentsPremium
analysis
The strong connection between Albo and Biden on display

Anthony Albanese was feted with all the trappings the Americans muster to impress, but an undercurrent of concern about China and slow progress on the things Australia wants from the US ran through the week.

Katina Curtis

Reinforces US bondCommentsPremiumAlbanese confident on AUKUS as China muscles up

Anthony Albanese returns from Washington even more confident he’s secured the support from American politicians needed to cement the AUKUS deal as he warns China does not see itself as a status-quo power.

Katina Curtis

Torn apartCommentsPremium‘Doesn’t have to be this way’: Vice-President wants our laws

Anthony Albanese used his final speech in Washington to double down on Australia’s commitment to be America’s ‘steadfast ally’, as Vice President Kamala Harris said the US could learn from our gun laws.

Katina Curtis

updated
updated
Strong tiesCommentsPremium
updated
Pomp and princess gowns: Inside PM’s lavish dinner

It was Anthony Albanese’s fairy tale moment. The day started with a 19-gun salute and military band and ended with sequins on the steps of the White House. 

Katina Curtis

‘Steadfast’ supportCommentsPremiumAustralia sends another $20m of military aid to Ukraine

Anthony Albanese announced the package, including de-mining equipment, portable x-ray machines and a 3D metal printer, as he continues a charm offensive to show Washington that Australia is pulling its weight.

Katina Curtis

Security pactCommentsPremiumAlbanese promises progress on AUKUS laws, seeks US pledge

Australia will push ahead with its version of the trade controls legislation needed to cement the AUKUS submarines deal as Anthony Albanese lobbies American lawmakers to do their part.

Katina Curtis

Mammoth boostCommentsPremiumCritical minerals fund doubled to attract investors

The amount of money on offer to help critical minerals projects get off the ground will double to $4 billion as the Government seeks to entice American miners and processing companies to set up in Australia.

Katina Curtis

Security pactPremiumPM to ‘urge support’ for AUKUS legislation in Washington

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be ‘urging support’ for legislation on changes needed to secure submarines for Australia when he meets with US lawmakers in Washington this week.

Kimberley Caines

PM’S US TRIPCommentsPremiumAlbanese US visit to focus minds in Washington on AUKUS

Anthony Albanese’s visit to Washington next week is expected to help pave the way for billions of dollars of investment into Australian critical minerals projects and pressure the US over laws needed for AUKUS.

Katina Curtis and Joe Spagnolo