Premier Roger Cook bound for the UK to push WA's case for AUKUS deal on the rocks
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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
2 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Petrol power is enjoying a resurgence at General Motors
General Motors was increasingly going down the path of having V8-powered full-size pickups and SUVs, but using electric power for almost everything else. Its Buick and Cadillac brands, for example, had goals of going electric-only by 2030, while myriad combustion-powered models were being phased out. However, GM Authority reports the American giant is now putting new combustion-powered vehicles into development. It's also reportedly evaluating new variants of existing combustion-powered vehicles – something that could see it introduce, for example, performance-focused pickups to take on Ford's Raptor models. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. ABOVE: Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 It's unclear what new combustion-powered models GM may develop, though it currently doesn't have a unibody (car-based) ute to rival the Ford Maverick and no longer has a pony car to rival the Ford Mustang (following the axing of the Chevrolet Camaro). It also doesn't have a body-on-frame off-roader smaller than its Chevrolet Tahoe/ GMC Yukon to take on the Toyota 4Runner and LandCruiser 250 Series (sold as the Prado here), apart from the ageing Chevrolet Trailblazer in Latin America. The change in strategy comes as fuel prices remain low in the US, while emissions regulations have been softened under the Trump administration. Of course, GM still has a bevy of electric vehicles (EVs) and is crowing about its Chevrolet brand being the second biggest seller of EVs in the US market. But GM had been more aggressive than many brands in phasing out combustion-powered vehicles in favour of EVs. ABOVE: American Cadillac XT5 and (new) Chinese XT5 For example, the Chevrolet Blazer and Cadillac XT4, XT5 and XT6 crossover SUVs were all being phased out in favour of electric replacements – the Blazer EV, Optiq, Lyriq and Vistiq, respectively. Likewise, the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 sedans were expected to be replaced by one or two electric sedans, while the Chevrolet Malibu sedan has been axed outright. While none of these combustion-powered vehicles top the sales charts in their respective segments, many have been strong sellers at one point or another in their run. However, in June, GM announced it would add production of the combustion-powered Blazer to its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant in 2027 – a somewhat odd move, given the now six-year-old vehicle was set to be phased out. ABOVE: Chevrolet Blazer and Blazer EV Now, GM Authority reports it'll be a next-generation Blazer being manufactured in Spring Hill. Whether this means the new second-generation XT5 sold in China – previously slated to be a Chinese-market exclusive vehicle – will be offered in the US remains to be seen. It's not just the new XT5 that's exclusive to China. GM has developed a handful of new-generation combustion-powered vehicles for China that it hasn't offered in its home market. That includes the Cadillac GT4 and second-generation CT6. However, GM has struggled in China of late as resurgent domestic brands offering increasingly sophisticated products have eaten away both at its market share and that of many other foreign brands. It's now losing money there, despite the Chinese market once being a cash cow. ABOVE: Cadillac Lyriq With GM having reduced its global footprint through the sale of Opel/Vauxhall and a large-scale (if not complete) withdrawal from right-hand drive production that spelled the end of Holden, among other strategic moves, its home market has now become even more important. And despite EV sales continuing to grow in the US, the world's second-largest new-car market, there's still healthy demand for combustion-powered vehicles. GM has been pulling back somewhat from its previous bold EV goals. For example, it confirmed this year its Orion Assembly Plant in Michigan that was earmarked for EV production will now produce combustion-powered vehicles, while it will also introduce plug-in hybrids – technology it was previously planning to skip over. However, it's investing in new battery developments
Perth Now
2 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Petrol power is enjoying a resurgence at General Motors
General Motors was increasingly going down the path of having V8-powered full-size pickups and SUVs, but using electric power for almost everything else. Its Buick and Cadillac brands, for example, had goals of going electric-only by 2030, while myriad combustion-powered models were being phased out. However, GM Authority reports the American giant is now putting new combustion-powered vehicles into development. It's also reportedly evaluating new variants of existing combustion-powered vehicles – something that could see it introduce, for example, performance-focused pickups to take on Ford's Raptor models. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert ABOVE: Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 It's unclear what new combustion-powered models GM may develop, though it currently doesn't have a unibody (car-based) ute to rival the Ford Maverick and no longer has a pony car to rival the Ford Mustang (following the axing of the Chevrolet Camaro). It also doesn't have a body-on-frame off-roader smaller than its Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon to take on the Toyota 4Runner and LandCruiser 250 Series (sold as the Prado here), apart from the ageing Chevrolet Trailblazer in Latin America. The change in strategy comes as fuel prices remain low in the US, while emissions regulations have been softened under the Trump administration. Of course, GM still has a bevy of electric vehicles (EVs) and is crowing about its Chevrolet brand being the second biggest seller of EVs in the US market. But GM had been more aggressive than many brands in phasing out combustion-powered vehicles in favour of EVs. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert ABOVE: American Cadillac XT5 and (new) Chinese XT5 For example, the Chevrolet Blazer and Cadillac XT4, XT5 and XT6 crossover SUVs were all being phased out in favour of electric replacements – the Blazer EV, Optiq, Lyriq and Vistiq, respectively. Likewise, the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 sedans were expected to be replaced by one or two electric sedans, while the Chevrolet Malibu sedan has been axed outright. While none of these combustion-powered vehicles top the sales charts in their respective segments, many have been strong sellers at one point or another in their run. However, in June, GM announced it would add production of the combustion-powered Blazer to its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant in 2027 – a somewhat odd move, given the now six-year-old vehicle was set to be phased out. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert ABOVE: Chevrolet Blazer and Blazer EV Now, GM Authority reports it'll be a next-generation Blazer being manufactured in Spring Hill. Whether this means the new second-generation XT5 sold in China – previously slated to be a Chinese-market exclusive vehicle – will be offered in the US remains to be seen. It's not just the new XT5 that's exclusive to China. GM has developed a handful of new-generation combustion-powered vehicles for China that it hasn't offered in its home market. That includes the Cadillac GT4 and second-generation CT6. However, GM has struggled in China of late as resurgent domestic brands offering increasingly sophisticated products have eaten away both at its market share and that of many other foreign brands. It's now losing money there, despite the Chinese market once being a cash cow. Supplied Credit: CarExpert ABOVE: Cadillac Lyriq With GM having reduced its global footprint through the sale of Opel/Vauxhall and a large-scale (if not complete) withdrawal from right-hand drive production that spelled the end of Holden, among other strategic moves, its home market has now become even more important. And despite EV sales continuing to grow in the US, the world's second-largest new-car market, there's still healthy demand for combustion-powered vehicles. GM has been pulling back somewhat from its previous bold EV goals. For example, it confirmed this year its Orion Assembly Plant in Michigan that was earmarked for EV production will now produce combustion-powered vehicles, while it will also introduce plug-in hybrids – technology it was previously planning to skip over. However, it's investing in new battery developments and plans to introduce a new, more affordable EV as a successor to its defunct Chevrolet Bolt, indicating it remains committed to EVs. It now offers multiple EVs across its Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands, with electric Buicks also offered in China.
7NEWS
32 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
US Prime Minister Keir Starmer expected to push US President Donald Trump on Gaza ceasefire during upcoming talks
US President Donald Trump will host British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his golf resort in Scotland for talks expected to range from their recent bilateral trade deal to the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza. Trump, riding high after announcing a huge trade agreement with the European Union late on Sunday, said he expected Starmer would also be pleased. 'The prime minister of the UK, while he's not involved in this, will be very happy because you know, there's a certain unity that's been brought there, too,' Trump said. 'He's going to be very happy to see what we did.' Starmer had hoped to negotiate a drop in US steel and aluminium tariffs as part of the discussions, but Trump on Sunday ruled out any changes in the 50 per cent duties for the EU and has said the trade deal with Britain has been 'concluded'. The two men are expected to travel from Trump's luxury golf resort in Turnberry, on Scotland's west coast, on Monday to a second sprawling estate owned by Trump in the east, near Aberdeen. Starmer was heading to Scotland from Switzerland, where England on Sunday won the Women's European Championship final. Casting a shadow over their visit has been the deepening crisis in the war-torn Gaza enclave, where images of starving Palestinians have alarmed the world. Starmer has recalled his ministers from their summer recess for a cabinet meeting, a government source said on Sunday, most likely to discuss the situation in Gaza as pressure grows at home and abroad to recognise a Palestinian state. The British leader on Friday said his country would recognise a Palestinian state only as part of a negotiated peace deal, disappointing many in his Labour Party who want him to follow France in taking swifter action. Trump on Friday dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to recognise a Palestinian state, an intention that also drew strong condemnation from Israel, after similar moves from Spain, Norway and Ireland in 2024. Trump said he understood Starmer wanted to discuss Israel, adding that while the US would increase its aid to Gaza, it wanted others to join the effort. Ukraine will also be on the agenda. Dozens of Gazans have died of malnutrition in recent weeks, according to the Gaza health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave, with aid groups warning of mass hunger among Gaza's 2.2 million people.
