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Written evidence submitted by the Western Australian Government.
1. The Inda-Pacific region is home to approximately 60% of the world's population, three of the world's largest economies, and seven of the world's largest military forces. It is projected to deliver nearly two-thirds of global growth over the next three decades, consuming more than half of the world's food supply and energy by 2030.
2. Western Australia (WA) is the western gateway to Australia, sharing the Indian Ocean with India, Indonesia, African nations and many others.
3. The Strait of Malacca is a critical gateway between the Indian and Pacific oceans with approximately US$3.5 trillion of global trade via 90,000 ships through its waters annually. AUKUS, in-particular Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) commencing in 2027 is important to ensuring continued international order in the ASEAN region and to enabling ongoing safe trade passage.
4. The current geopolitical environment and increasing global uncertainty reinforces the criticality of effective alliances and partnerships to ensuring a 'free and open' Inda-Pacific region.
5. WA has over 12,000 kilometers of mainland coastline and one third of Australia's border. It is home to significant Defence facilities including the
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home base of the Royal Australian Navy's current and future submarine fleet and the joint US/ Australian Harold E. Holt Naval Communication Station.
6. Australia's subsea cable network off the coast of WA is integral digital infrastructure connecting Australia to a range of countries, including in Southeast Asia. This infrastructure is vital to economic growth and cyber security across the region and disruptions to the network would have consequences globally.
7. WP!.s strategic location and economic contributions make it a vital player in regional security and economic stability, enhancing Australia's ability to project power and influence in the Inda-Pacific.
8. Western Australia's total trade in goods with the UK was A$6.6Billion in 2024.
9. The relationship between WA and the United Kingdom is robust and multifaceted, underpinned by strong historical ties and contemporary strategic interests. The UK Consulate General plays a pivotal role in fostering diplomatic and economic relations between the two regions. The reestablishment of a British consular office in Perth in 2023 reflected the importance of this relationship and the enhanced diplomatic engagement facilitates greater cooperation on initiatives such as AUKUS, where both regions can leverage their strengths to achieve common goals - particularly during a period of global uncertainty.
10. The Western Australian Government's commitment to its ties with the UK is demonstrated by the establishment of a WA Agent General for the UK over 125 years ago and an Invest and Trade WA office in London. The Agent General works alongside the Western Australian Government's Investment and Trade Commissioners to attract investment and promote trade opportunities for local businesses and is crucial in enhancing economic collaboration and supporting WA's strategic interests in the UK and Europe broadly.
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11. Despite being home to 10.9% of Australia's population, WA contributes 17.4% of Australia's GDP. In 2023-2024, WA's economy grew at more than twice the pace of Australia as a whole.
12. WA is the resources export hub of Australia, producing over 50 different minerals from 134 projects and generating over 50% of the nation’s export revenue. It is a top producer of critical minerals essential for both the global energy transition, critical technologies (sensors, semi-conductors, communications etc.) and advanced technologies.
13. Operating in extremely remote and austere environment, WA's resources sector has been a strong driver of the development of robotic technology, as companies look to improve efficiency and safety in the industry. Extracting resources in the austere and remote locations has driven significant innovation capacity in several areas of robotics, including automation, Al, computer vision and sensors, robotics hardware and software, surveillance, and remote operations. This expertise is supported by the State's universities, and a range of resources such as innovation hubs, incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces, which provide a fertile environment for the development and acceleration of new robotics-technologies.
14. Curtin University hosts the Western Australian School of Mines, equal in many measures to the Colorado School of Mines. Curtin University also hosts the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer.
15. WA has the natural endowment, and R&D scale and mining expertise to serve the AUKUS alliance.
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16. WA hosts 19% of the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) permanent force personnel and Naval Base HMAS Stirling, which supports a significant portion of the RAN's fleet. This currently includes all six of Australia's Collins Class submarines and six Anzac-Class frigates with expansion plans underway to support both visiting and rotational conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) through Submarine Rotational Force-West, and Australia's future sovereign fleet of SSNs. The Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt located in Exmouth, WA, first established by the US to support naval operations during the Cold War, is critical to US and Australian naval communications, and RAN operations. Upgrades and expansion of the Station are currently underway, signaling the importance of the facility to naval communications across the Inda-Pacific region.
17. The Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Henderson, WA is a well established, world-class shipyard and maritime industrial base, currently supporting naval shipbuilding and maintenance of the RANs Colins Class submarines. Henderson, including the AMC, was recently announced as the principal location for maintenance and sustainment of Australia's sovereign future SSN fleet, and one of two principal shipyards to deliver an uplift to Australia's maritime capabilities through continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment. It spans over 40 hectares and includes five precincts dedicated to shipbuilding, fabrication, support, technology, and recreational boating.
18. The AMC is also home to Australia's Sovereign Strategic Shipbuilder, Austal Limited. This strategic partnership between Austal and the Australian Government signifies the strength of WAs defence industry and commitment to secure Henderson's future in the naval shipbuilding enterprise.
19. Further Defence facilities of strategic significance are located across WA, including Royal Australian Air Force Bases Pearce, Learmonth and Curtin, and Australian Army Barracks and Training Centers with the home of Australia's Special Air Service Regiment located at Campbell Barracks in Swanbourne, Perth.
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Preparations are underway for Submarine Rotational Force-West Commencement in 2027
20. From 2027, AUKUS partners will have a rotational presence at HMAS Stirling of one Royal Navy and up to four US nuclear powered submarines. This rotational presence aims to develop Australia's capability to safely and securely operate nuclear-powered submarines. The first steps in support of this aim included the hosting US tender, USS Emory S. Land, to support the maintenance of an US SSN alongside the wharf at HMAS Stirling and the first in-water maintenance of an US Viginia class submarine, assisted by RAN personnel in 2024.
21. Infrastructure upgrades at HMAS Stirling include A$8 billion in investments for wharf upgrades and new SSN maintenance, logistics, and training facilities. Additionally, over A$83 million will be invested in 32 projects, including the remediation and maintenance of the Parkes Wharf. The WA Government is working closely with the Australian Government to ensure emergency management plans and the necessary security uplift to support the activities at HMAS Stirling are in place.
22. An additional 500 direct jobs are expected to be created to sustain the Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West). In September 2024, the Albanese Government announced a new initiative to boost Australia's nuclear powered submarine workforce, with the Jobs for Subs program. This initiative will allow ASC Pty Ltd to recruit 200 additional entry level personnel from new graduates, apprentices and trainees across high priority disciplines and trades essential to the nuclear-powered submarine enterprise and to support the SRF-West program.
23. SRF-West will bring around 3,000 US Naval personnel, contractors, and their families to Perth, requiring robust support systems from the Western Australian Government. The Western Australian Government has been working closely with the US Navy and Australian Submarine Agency to ensure systems are in place across education, health, transport and other essential services provided by the State. This support will extend to inbound UK Defence personnel, ensuring seamless operations and collaboration.
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24. The Australian Government announced Defence Housing Australia (DHA) has entered into its first long-term supply agreements, through its Volume Leasing Program, with WA developer, Parcel Property and builder, Forma Homes to deliver approximately 550 homes for Australian Defence Force personnel in the vicinity of HMAS Stirling. It is intended that this additional housing supply is made available to visiting SRF-West personnel in due course.
25. The defence industry in WA includes 470 defence-related businesses, dominated by defence prime contractors such as Austal, BAE Systems, ASC, Babcock, Raytheon, Thales, and Lockheed Martin. These businesses support all five operational domains of the ADF: information and cyber, maritime, air, space, and land operations.
26. The AMC will be the site for a new Defence Precinct, supporting depot-level maintenance for SSNs and the construction of new naval vessels. This precinct will underpin tens of billions of dollars of investment in defence capabilities in WA over the next two decades.
27. The expansion of the defence industry in WA is expected to create thousands of new jobs and necessitate significant upskilling within the defence workforce. Approximately 6,500 jobs could be created by defence maritime infrastructure upgrades alone in WA
28. WA has launched several initiatives to support workforce development in the defence sector, including the Defence Industry Pathways Program, the Defence Industry Internship and Graduate Scholarship Program, and the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence. These initiatives provide training, scholarships, and career pathways for students, career changers, and veterans.
29. The Defence Ready Initiative provides funding support to WA SMEs to enhance their business capability, capacity, and competitiveness to participate as suppliers to the defence market. This includes capacity to deliver products for UK supply chains.
30. WA is well positioned to lead in cross-sector technology transference as highlighted in the Defence Strategic review, particularly in the development
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and deployment of remote and autonomous systems. The state has well established capabilities in mining, energy and space industries that provides a strong foundation for dual use technologies and can be adapted for Defence applications.
31. WA’s cross-sector technology transference is well placed to deliver outcomes for AUKUS Pillar 2 across advanced cyber, undersea capabilities, autonomy and sensors, artificial intelligence, innovation and quantum technologies. For this to be realised better systems and frameworks are needed to enable technology sharing across the three nations, targeted outcomes and greater engagement with industry.
32. There is a strong opportunity to leverage the capabilities of our four public universities - The University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University - along with one private university, Notre Dame University. These institutions are actively engaged in research and innovation that advances the national Defence enterprise and drives progress across the Innovation, Science and Technologies (IS&T), priorities. These include advanced manufacturing, robotics, information warfare, Al and quantum technologies. WA universities have strong a reputation for their collaborative nature and work alongside industry and state government to provide strategic expertise and capability development. They also play a key role in integrating critical skills and promoting STEM career pathways to ensure a future-ready workforce to support the defence industry in WA.
33. The state government plays a critical role in building W/\s defence workforce over the next two decades, which is projected to support over 10,000 highly skilled jobs. To meet this demand, a $14.6 million joint investment between the State and Commonwealth Governments has established the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence (CoE). The CoE will lead, design and deliver industry-aligned training in key areas such as naval shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, cyber security, ensuring the state develops a strong pipeline of skilled workers equipped for current and future defence needs. This investment reflects W/\s growing importance in national defence priorities and the need for a sustained focus on workforce development and skills uplift across the sector.
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34. WA is globally recognised for its successful resource sector, thanks to its rich deposits of critical minerals and robust infrastructure. The state offers a stable investment environment with low sovereign risk, governed by strong democratic institutions and transparent regulatory frameworks that ensure high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
35. WA's diverse and abundant natural resources make it a leading supplier of critical minerals such as lithium, gallium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, mineral sands, and rare earth elements. Since 2015, approximately A$9 billion has been invested in large-scale battery chemicals and rare earth refineries, enhancing WA's advanced processing capabilities.
36. The critical minerals vital to the technologies essential for dealing with climate change are the same that are vital for the effectiveness of weapons systems. Some 3400 US weapons systems use rare earth products vital for permanent magnets, which determine accuracy and effectiveness.
37. Critical minerals and rare earth elements are essential for the quantum technology value chain, supporting the development of advanced hardware like qubits, sensors, and secure communication systems. These materials drive innovation in the defence sector, underpinning critical technological advancements and creating opportunities for advanced manufacturing.
38. Defence organisations leverage quantum technologies for secure communications, advanced navigation, and enhanced threat detection. Collaborations between WA-based defence agencies, national organisations, and global partners like those in AUKUS ensuring break through applications.
39. International partnerships play a pivotal role in WA's quantum agenda. Under the AUKUS partnership, Australia collaborates with the US and the UK to develop advanced capabilities, including quantum technologies. These partnerships focus on secure communication systems, critical infrastructure protection, and enhancing allied defence systems. Bilateral agreements with
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quantum leaders like the US and UK strengthen these efforts, providing access to advanced research, shared infrastructure, and expertise. The University of Western Australia and Curtin University both field significant expertise in quantum technology.
40. WA’s functions in critical mineral production-such as lithium, gallium and rare earth elements-directly supports Australia's National Quantum Strategy theme of securing access to essential materials for quantum technologies, ensuring Australia's quantum ecosystem remains globally competitive. WA’s proximity to the APAC region enhances its capacity to foster international collaboration under frameworks such as AUKUS. By integrating its existing resources, infrastructure, and strategic location, WA contributes significantly to building Australia's sovereign capabilities, workforce development, and global influence in the quantum sector.
30th May 2025