Subs funding unveiled as Labor keeps lid on debate
Health and workplace issues will dominate the agenda of Labour’s national conference as extra funding for nuclear submarine construction is announced.
The second day of the triennial policy forum will focus on aged care, the NDIS and healthcare.
Policies focusing on women, Indigenous Australians, employment and workplace relations will also feature prominently.
However, controversial issues are not expected to be brought up at the conference as most negotiations take place behind the scenes.
On the first day of the debate on the tax on gas exports, which was at the center of a viral campaign, the changes could not be implemented as expected.
While the Labor Party conference sets the party’s direction and policy stance, it is up to the parliamentary team to decide how and when to implement measures.
The visit to South Australia for the three-day conference coincides with the announcement of an extra $4.6 billion for the nuclear submarine construction site at Osborne, north of Adelaide.
The construction site will be used to build nuclear-powered ships as part of the $368 billion AUKUS agreement with the US and UK.
The additional funding will increase spending on the construction site to $8.5 billion, and the funding will be directed to construction and development activities on the site.
The project is expected to create 10,000 jobs in South Australia and 1,100 people currently work on the project.
Defense Minister Richard Marles said the funding would allow construction to increase significantly.
“This investment is another important step in building the sovereign capability Australia will need to build, operate, maintain and sustain our future submarine fleet,” he said.
“The work now underway at Osborne shows that AUKUS is on track and happening now, while creating opportunities for Australian industry and workers for decades to come.”
Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia will purchase used nuclear submarines from the United States before the locally built ships are put into service.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese discussed AUKUS with his newly elected British counterpart Andy Burnham during a meeting on Thursday, congratulating him on his appointment and inviting him to visit Australia.
AUKUS remains one of the controversial issues among delegates at the Labor Party conference; Many rank-and-file members are introducing motions in local branches calling on the government to cancel the agreement.
Mr. Albanese used his keynote address at the conference to encourage members to make meaningful changes as a way to counter the growing popularity of One Nation.
Pauline Hanson’s party is rising in the polls and has recently overtaken Labor in primary voting in some opinion polls.
