Thousands rally in Australia against potential submarine base

On Saturday, thousands protested against a nuclear-powered submarine station in Port Kembla in eastern Australia as part of the A$368 billion ($244.1 billion) AUKUS defense treaty with the US and UK.

ABC reports that the Defence Department prefers New South Wales’ second-largest coal export port for an east-coast submarine facility.

Protesters carrying trade union banners and flags marched down the main street to oppose a base in the 5,000-person town 102 kilometres (63 miles) south of Sydney.

“I’m getting the sense of the renewable energy that’s in this community to keep coming out on the streets,” Greens Senator David Shoebridge, a vocal AUKUS critic, addressed the gathering.

Participants estimated 2,000–5,000 people.

Last month, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles stated no east coast submarine base site had been chosen.

After two former leaders criticized the submarine project for its expense, complexity, and sovereignty concerns, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended it.

The March arrangement will see Australia buy U.S. Virginia-class submarines before joint British and Australian development of a new submarine class in Australia by the early 2040s.