Letter

In response to AUKUS infrastructure, part 4: Australia’s dual-site labour trap

Osborne and Henderson sub bases

The origin of Peter Briggs’ concerns about two bases 2600 km apart lies in a bit promised for SA and a bit for WA in the 2016 election, relating to the French subs, and other naval vessels. The original decision to create the Stirling base was an election promise by John Gorton in 1969.

On 7.30 this week Minister Pat Conroy assured us in relation to nuclear armed subs that the US respects our membership of the Treaty of Rarotonga on a nuclear-free Pacific (although this only extends to the twelve mile limit in the Indian Ocean off WA, with little zones at Cocos and Christmas Island). The US as of April had not ratified the treaty as an associate member. The Treaty envisaged a further one for the Indian Ocean.

Perhaps it is time for the 38 countries and two European territories which have an Indian Ocean coastline to start discussions (yes even Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Israel, and of course Iran)? Of course there would be three nuclear armed states, Israel, India and Pakistan involved.

— Geoff Taylor from Boorloo (Perth)