Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has fought off an attempt to have references to nuclear-powered submarines struck from Labor's platform.
Key points:
- The government has faced off a motion to strike nuclear-powered submarines from Labor's platform
- Some delegates wanted to avoid Labor committing to nuclear submarines, which are fiercely opposed by some members
- The party instead resolved to redouble its non-nuclear efforts
Mr Albanese is in favour of the AUKUS defence deal with the United States and United Kingdom, as he attempts to quiet internal rebellion against the plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
"I do want to recognise that everyone comes to this debate in good faith," Mr Albanese said.
"A partnership with two of Australia's oldest friends ... is consistent with the Labor values that I have been a part of my whole life.
"If you come to the position, as I have, that Australia as an island continent needs submarines, then it is compulsory ... that nuclear-powered submarines are what Australia needs."
It was Mr Albanese's only intervention into a debate at the conference so far.
The government succeeded in blocking the rebellion, as well as ensuring this morning that the conference was prevented from debating a wider motion to have references to "AUKUS" struck from the platform.
Electrical Trades Union secretary Michael Wright, moving the attempt to have references to nuclear propulsion struck from the platform, said his union did not support AUKUS.
"Why would this decision we are taking here not ripple around the world?
"Serious questions must be asked: is this the best way of securing our national interest? Is this the best spend of $360 billion?" he asked.
Mr Wright said Labor should not lock nuclear submarines into its platform, but "keep the window open" for further debate.
Defending the government's policy, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia's security depended on acquiring nuclear-powered submarines.
"In the future, diesel electric submarines will become increasingly detected ... we simply have to take the step of nuclear propulsion," Mr Marles said.
"In a difficult moment, Australians are looking to us. I know the word 'nuclear' evokes a strong reaction, but we are not talking about nuclear weapons.
"We will never base nuclear weapons on our shores."
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy told Labor delegates only "strength" would deter war, not "appeasement".
Labor MP Josh Wilson, one of the only government MPs to break ranks on AUKUS, said the decision to acquire nuclear-propelled submarines was "not justified".
"To a person with a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Deterrence is not a one word justification for every defence position," Mr Wilson said.
"And with the greatest respect to delegate Conroy, the suggestion that anyone who questions a particular defence and security decision or acquisition is in the game of appeasement ... is ridiculous."
Government seeks to reassure rank and file, redoubling non-nuclear commitment
The government instead moved to recognise "the growing danger that nuclear weapons pose" and committing the government to redouble its efforts towards nuclear disarmament in an effort to settle disquiet within its ranks on AUKUS.
Several local branches have opposed AUKUS and the pact now faces a challenge from internal group Labor Against War, represented by former senators Doug Cameron and Margaret Reynolds.
Outside the conference, Labor Against War convenor Marcus Strom said today's debate at the conference was just the beginning of a campaign against AUKUS.
"The best opposition we get is, 'Look, let's keep things calm, we don't want to scare the horses ahead of elections,' but this is more important than one election, one parliament, one government," Mr Strom said.
"This is a 30-year program, multi-billion dollars of wasted opportunity we could be spending on housing, on cost of living pressures, on the transition to a green economy."
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Amendment 300 A has been carried, following an 'aye or nay' verbal vote. It means the move towards nuclear-powered submarines will continue.
"Just consider the relationships that we have in the region and the world and whether they have been improved in the last 15 months," he says.
"Is there a single relationship with a possible exception of Putin, that has been diminished? We have a stronger relationship with our traditional allies, including the United States, then we have ever had."
Wondering what this is? Join us next time we're live and be part of the discussion.
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said open debate threatened the AUKUS deal.
"I can't believe that you'd put AUKUS at threat, or you'd even decide you're going to have a conversation about the defence of our nation," Mr Joyce said.
The party also recommitted to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, a key request from anti-nuclear campaigners.
The conference resolved to encourage the government to attend a UN meeting on the ban treaty in New York in November.
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2023-08-18 01:56:39Z
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