Premier Roger Cook bound for the UK to push WA’s case for AUKUS deal on the rocks

Roger Cook is heading to the UK this week to push WA’s case for why the shaky AUKUS deal should proceed, amid fears Donald Trump will torpedo the $368 billion defence agreement. With Mr Trump ordering a review of the deal, the Premier — accompanied by his Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia — will meet with senior British government and defence personnel to emphasise why AUKUS is important to not just Australia, the US and the UK, but to WA. The 2021 AUKUS security pact between the US, Britain and Australia, is supposed to deliver Australia up to five nuclear-powered submarines from about 2030. WA stands to be a major beneficiary, with Henderson — just south of Perth — scheduled to get a $20b boost to become a major defence hub where the submarines would be serviced and naval ship building further developed. About $8b of upgrades are also scheduled to happen at HMAS Stirling, which will become home to Australia’s nuclear-propelled AUKUS submarines — Virginia Class SSNs. “I’m confident that AUKUS is a great deal for the US and Australia and that the Trump administration’s review will confirm that,” Mr Cook said. “While it’s only natural that a new administration does a review, there’s no doubt we live in uncertain times, and that’s why this UK mission is a priority for my Government.” At the G7 summit, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was unable to get a one-on-one meeting with Mr Trump to discuss AUKUS after the US President left early to due to escalating the Middle East crisis. Mr Cook said the deal was in the interests of all three nations, adding any decision not to proceed with the agreement would be worrying. “Obviously, it (AUKUS not proceeding) would be a concern not only for Australia but for the UK and a concern in relation to the US security attitude towards the geopolitical situation in this region,” he said. “But, as has been observed by several people, the UK Government undertook its own review of AUKUS when it was elected. “So, we are not too concerned.” During the five-day mission Mr Cook will hold a roundtable meeting in London with defence industry heavyweights and meet with UK Government officials, including Maria Eagle, Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry, and Lord Spellar, the UK’s trade envoy to Australia. The Premier and Mr Papalia will also visit His Majesty’s Naval Base, in Devonport which is the sole nuclear repair and refuelling facility for the Royal Navy. Regardless of AUKUS, Mr Cook was confident WA would play a significant in Australia’s — and the US and UK’s — defence industries. Mr Cook said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had, for example, recently announced a plan to build up to 12 additional nuclear-powered submarines over the next decade — and WA businesses could play a pivotal role in speeding up the construction of these military assets. “There will still be significant opportunities for Western Australia’s defence industry,” Mr Cook said. “The US and UK will still need WA businesses, or WA manufacturers, to be part of the global supply chain for their own construction effort. “There are three big opportunities for Western Australia. “One is around maintenance and sustainment, the other is around frigate construction and the third is around being part of the international manufacturing supply chain for the construction of UK and US subs back in their countries.” Mr Cook said the State’s move to renewables and clean energy would also be a selling point. “This mission to the UK is a crucial part of my Government’s plan to diversify the economy and ensure it remains the strongest in the nation,” Mr Cook said. “We are doing everything we can to ensure that local businesses benefit from this once in a generation boom, and that’s why strategic talks with decision-makers to sell our State to the world and garner investment is so important.”