Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technologies, and shared expertise we will ensure that Australians share in the benefits this historic agreement will bring, while safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the region.
Visit: aukusforum.com/apply-now
Gain knowledge at the Forum’s Speakers Series
Access valuable insights shared by the advisory board and members
Receive exclusive insights via AUKUS Forum News
Connect with defence, industry and government leaders. Visit member sites and connect with likeminded organisations
WHAT’S inside...
Hear from the world’s most determined innovator in AI robotics and navigation technologies - Advanced Navigation.
From Reserves to Resilience – Unlocking Australia’s Mineral Wealth
Australia’s hidden wealth could unlock a powerful future for AUKUS. Discover how critical minerals are fuelling a new era of security and prosperity.
AUKUS Pillar 2 Gains Traction
With billions in contracts, trade reforms and potential new members, here’s your update on all things AUKUS.
12 Aussie Energy Innovator Powering a New Frontier in Space Exploration
entX is pioneering groundbreaking nuclear technologies to propel space exploration forward.
AUKUS Forum News
AUKUS Forum News is a publication for AUKUS Forum members and sub scribers, which provides infor mation on The AUKUS agree ment and the wider opportunities it presents.
AUKUS Forum News Team
Publisher: Michael Sharpe
Editor-in-Chief: John MacGregor
Editor: Peter Laidlaw
Editorial Team: Terri Murphy and contributors.
Creative Director: Jane Stagg
If you have information or insights that you would like to share with our readers, please send a brief synopsis of your proposed article to aukusnews@aukusforum.com
Reader feedback
We welcome feedback on our publication from our readers. If you have any comment on the content or topics you would like to read more about, please feel free to email us on aukusnews@aukusforum.com
WELCOME
Michael Sharpe
The forecast weak economic growth for the year ahead, the surge in Australian companies going into insolvency and the flagging consumer confidence should be a big wake up call for any business.
While the deteriorating conditions and economic uncertainty paint a concerning picture, these challenges also present an opportunity to reshape your business through collaboration.
Collaboration - a tool to drive results
While experience shows that in the face of challenge, many will pull back on collaboration and adopt a protective stance, history also shows that this is counter to business success.
During the Covid-19 global crisis, McKinsey research showed just 21 per cent of 200 senior executives surveyed felt confident that there was growth opportunity. This suggested that most businesses appeared to become risk-averse and protect their own interests, fostering a culture of conservatism and prioritising stability over innovation.
Those who were open to a collaborative mindset, turned challenging times into an opportunity to innovate and grow.
Collaboration has proven to deliver new expertise and ideas to the challenges being faced.
Take for instance, the Apple and Nike collaboration in 2006, which saw a new era of wearable fitness technology, or the Airbnb and Amex collaboration, which saw the home-sharing platform integrated into the American Express travel booking platform.
While the above are large brand collaborations, there are many smaller success stories.
AUKUS – a collaboration powerhouse
In the context of AUKUS, collaboration isn’t optional; it is fundamental to the success of the trilateral agreement.
As noted by the University of New South Wales’ Defence Research Institute Director, Vice-Admiral Paul Maddison at the announcement of AUKUS in 2021, an important part of the announcement was the “language around enhanced collaboration in developing defence capabilities in the fields of AI, cyber, hypersonics and others.”
The importance of collaboration isn’t just critical to the agreement, but also core to any organisation wanting to realise the tremendous commercial opportunities arising out of AUKUS.
Through increased collaboration under the AUKUS umbrella, industries are poised to achieve a distinctive advantage both here in Australia and internationally.
Collaboration under AUKUS is pivotal in translating research and innovation into tangible defence products and systems. This collaboration fosters a vibrant defence industry, capable of manufacturing advanced defence equipment and supporting the maintenance and upgrade of existing systems.
Propelling startups to industry stars
At the AUKUS Forum, we have seen many great collaborations between small manufacturers with other small businesses, innovators and researchers – such as the partnerships between Vesi Water and GPC
“Collaboration under AUKUS is pivotal in translating research and innovation into tangible defence products and systems.”
Electronics or Benelec’s collaboration with other industry leaders to drive advancement into defence technology.
Another great example of how collaboration has boosted business success is South Australian clean energy company, entX, which has made huge steps forward in developing solutions for sectors spanning defence, space, medicine, heavy industry, agriculture, and mining. See page 12 for more.
We look forward to hearing more from the entX team when they join us at the next Nuclear Taskforce meeting along with Ascent Vision Technologies which
specialises in the design and development of gyrostabilised imaging systems. See page 20 for details of all upcoming AUKUS Forum events.
Joining forces to succeed
That means if your business is not already joining forces with other businesses or researchers, you should immediately start thinking about potential organisations that can deliver mutual benefit.
If you are already collaborating, you should now be looking to double down on such efforts, to not only protect your business, but supercharge your growth.
STEERING THE COURSE OF THE Autonomy Revolution
AUKUS Forum’s monthly “Unleashing the Power of AUKUS” event saw CEO and co-founder of Advanced Navigation, Chris Shaw, take the stage – and the audience on a journey – as he spoke about the company’s groundbreaking robotics and navigation solutions, powered by cutting-edge AI.
Driven by a deep curiosity to apply ground-breaking technologies to uncover and explore new frontiers, the company is ultimately extending human capabilities to build a more resilient and sustainable future with safer outcomes, on and off planet. And the potential for AUKUS collaboration and innovation is immense.
A Culture of Curiosity Fuelling Innovation
Founded in 2012 on a bedrock of research and discovery, Advanced Navigation’s mission is clear: to be the catalyst for the “Autonomy Revolution.” Driven by a deep curiosity to explore the potential of groundbreaking technologies, the company relentlessly pushes boundaries to extend human capabilities and build a more resilient, sustainable future.
Leveraging its expertise in AI neural networks and deep learning algorithms, Advanced Navigation develops transformative technologies spanning inertial and sonar navigation to photonic and quantum sensing. Extensive research, rigorous testing, and automated manufacturing underpin every solution,
ensuring exceptional performance across land, air, sea, and space applications.
Revolutionising Navigation with the Power of AI
Advanced Navigation stands at the forefront of the “Autonomy Revolution” with its core innovation: applying Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to inertial navigation. This translates to faster sensor error tracking and superior integrity monitoring, enabling highly accurate and reliable data. This technology has its roots in co-founder Xavier Orr’s university thesis, which he commercialised in 2012, forever changing the game.
Traditional navigation systems rely on Kalman filters, which can struggle with complex environments and erroneous data inputs. Advanced Navigation’s AI fusion neural networks overcome these limitations by learning from vast amounts of data. This self-learning capability allows for:
• Faster and More Accurate Sensor Error Tracking: The system continuously learns and adapts, resulting in significantly improved data accuracy.
• Superior Integrity Monitoring: The AI can identify and reject faulty data, ensuring the system’s reliability even in challenging conditions.
• Reduced Reliance on GNSS: The system can function effectively even in environments with limited or no GPS signal, a crucial advantage for underwater and subterranean applications.
World-First Digital FOG Technology
Advanced Navigation’s Boreas series represents a revolutionary leap in FOG (Fiber-Optic Gyroscope) technology. This world-first Digital FOG (DFOG) inertial navigation system (INS) integrates cuttingedge DFOG and accelerometer technologies with an RTK GNSS receiver. The system leverages Advanced Navigation’s sophisticated AI fusion algorithm to extract maximum data value. This translates to several key advantages:
• Ultra-fast Gyro Compassing: The system acquires and maintains accurate heading under demanding conditions, independent of GNSS, making it ideal for autonomous vehicles operating in environments with limited satellite coverage.
• 40% Reduction in SWaP-C (Size, Weight, Power & Cost): Advanced Navigation’s proprietary technology significantly reduces the size, weight, power consumption, and cost of the system compared to traditional FOG INS. This opens the door for FOG INS adoption in a broader range of platforms, particularly resource-constrained autonomous vehicles and submarines.
• Assured PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) Applications: The Boreas series is ideal for subsea, marine, land, and air platforms requiring robust and dependable PNT capabilities. The space-graded Boreas X90 variant will be a critical component of NASA’s lunar and Martian missions, while the Hydrus, a fully autonomous submersible drone powered by Advanced Navigation’s AI, opens exciting frontiers in ocean intelligence.
A Diverse Portfolio
Advanced Navigation doesn’t limit itself to just navigation systems. Their diverse portfolio caters to a wide range of autonomy needs across various industries. Here’s a closer look at their key product categories:
• Inertial Navigation Systems (INS): The cornerstone of Advanced Navigation’s product line, these AI-powered INS offer unmatched accuracy, reliability, and performance across a range of price points.
• LUNA (Laser measurement Unit for Navigational Aid): Off planet, LUNA is supporting NASA’s
Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to improve the safety and reliability of autonomous landing manoeuvres on the lunar surface.
• Subsea Robotics: Hydrus, a fully autonomous submersible drone, is a testament to Advanced Navigation’s commitment to pushing boundaries. Powered by AI and equipped with advanced sensors, Hydrus unlocks new avenues for ocean intelligence, environmental monitoring, and resource discovery.
Powering the Future
Advanced Navigation’s technology portfolio has the potential to significantly contribute to the AUKUS partnership’s goals with many potential areas of innovation and collaboration. And Advanced Navigation recognises the importance of collaboration in fostering innovation.
In June 2023, they unveiled a dedicated high-tech robotics manufacturing facility for autonomous systems based at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Tech Lab.
In addition to the manufacturing capability, the facility is home to extensive research collaborations between Advanced Navigation and UTS.
Advanced Navigation is a leading innovator shaping the future of autonomy. Their commitment to AIpowered solutions, coupled with a diverse product portfolio and a dedication to collaboration, positions them as a key player in the AUKUS partnership. As they continue to push the boundaries of technology, Advanced Navigation’s innovations have the potential to revolutionise various sectors, fostering advancements in defence, exploration, scientific discovery, and beyond.
FROM RESERVES TO RESILIENCE
Unlocking Australia’s Mineral Wealth
Australia’s rich geological reserves, expertise in mineral extraction and its track record as a reliable producer and exporter of energy and resources, makes it a valuable player in the success of AUKUS Pillar 2.
As identified by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s paper AUKUS and Critical Minerals by Former leader of the ALP, Kim Beazley and former government advisor Ben Halton, all AUKUS capabilities are reliant on critical minerals.
The importance of critical minerals and the need to redress global critical mineral supply-chain vulnerabilities due to China’s to dominance in processing them, recently saw the Federal Government provide multimillions of dollars in support.
An overview of critical minerals
Critical minerals are defined as metallic or non-metallic elements found in the earth that are both crucial for modern technologies or national security and face the risk of supply chain disruption.
According to United States Geological Survey (USGS) there are some 50 critical minerals “essential to the economic and national security” and the US Department of Defense (DOD) has listed more than 250 strategic and critical materials, “that support military and essential civilian industry.”
However, given China’s virtual monopoly over rareearth elements and significant control of critical
mineral supply chains, there is concern that it could use its position of strength to limit access to those strategically important materials.
Australia is home to some of the largest recoverable critical mineral’s deposits on earth, including highquality cobalt, lithium, manganese, rare earth elements, tungsten, and vanadium.
This, according to many in Government and industry, presents Australia with significant opportunity to address the supply chain vulnerabilities and achieve significant economic benefits with the right plan.
Chief Executive of the AUKUS Forum, Michael Sharpe, said the opportunities were strong and many Australian businesses were at the ready to play their part as “evidenced by the huge demand we have for the various Critical Minerals briefings.”
Critical minerals in AUKUS
The importance of critical minerals in the context of AUKUS, cannot be questioned. According to the Beazley and Hatton paper, released mid-last year, critical minerals are critical.
“Given that all AUKUS capabilities rely on critical minerals, the AUKUS countries should add critical minerals to AUKUS Pillar 2 and, in doing so, develop a consistent definition of critical minerals among the partners.
“Contextualising AUKUS against that definition is necessary to prompt informed action. The Australian Government must also refine its 2022 critical minerals list to reflect better the strategic situation we face rather than primarily commercial factors.
AUKUS should be the premier minilateral mechanism for creating resilient critical mineral supply chains for each partner while working closely with friends and allies. This is consistent with Pillar 2’s remit not being an exclusive arrangement. And it will require the AUKUS partners to cast aside any reservations about working intimately with one another.”
Government support for the industry
The importance of critical minerals, both in the context of national security and its role in meeting the need for clean and reliable industry, has been recognised by the Australian Government with the recent multi-million-dollar loan for two critical minerals projects.
Earlier this month, loans worth $400 million were made to Alpha HPA and Renascore Resources under the
The importance of critical minerals in the context of AUKUS, cannot be questioned. According to the Beazley and Hatton paper, released mid-last year, critical minerals are critical.
Albanese government’s Future Made in Australia policy through the government’s $4 billion Critical Minerals Facility and Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.
The funding to Queensland-based Alpha HPA will see the company deliver Australia’s first high-purity alumina processing facility. This critical mineral, essential for LED lighting, semiconductors, lithium-ion batteries, and other advanced applications, will be developed using Australian intellectual property and technologies. The funding for Renascor Resources will enable it to fast-track its South Australian Siviour Graphite Project to deliver purified graphite for lithium-ion batteries and other energy technologies.
Both these projects are expected to create some 1,000 jobs in construction and operation.
Resources Minister Madeleine King said Australia’s critical minerals and rare earths were “key to building renewable technologies, as well as defence and medical technologies”.
The AUKUS Forum has had several speakers discuss critical minerals and is currently working on a rescheduled Critical Minerals Summit at Broken Hill for later in the year, in collaboration with Broken Hill City Council, RDA Far West, Foundation Broken Hill, Department of Regional NSW and the Industry Capability Network.
For more details on the three-day event, contact Cathy Krimmer at the AUKUS Forum via email – cathy@aukusforum.org
AUKUS Pillar 2 Gains Traction...
WITH BILLIONS IN CONTRACTS, TRADE REFORMS AND POTENTIAL NEW MEMBERS
While Australian businesses are already realising commercial opportunities from AUKUS, this is expected to be propelled to new levels as export and trade barriers are removed, Pillar 2 progresses and other allied countries join the pact.
AUKUS Forum CEO Michael Sharpe said that already - just over a year after Australia, the UK and US announced the optimal pathway for the submarine pillar - the AUKUS agreement had resulted in Australia winning around $1.6 billion in defence contracts.
“The agreement has already delivered benefits for industry and the Australian economy, with local manufacturers scaling up,” he said.
“Local manufacturers such as ammunition business, Nioa Group, and remote weapons systems developers, EOS Defence Systems, are expanding operations into the US. We are also seeing smaller players, such as 3ME and Vesi-Water, collaborating and progressing talks with major defence primes.
“These are conversations and collaborations that would have been very difficult or not even had prior to the AUKUS agreement.”
“Just over a year after Australia, the UK and US announced the optimal pathway for the submarine pillar the AUKUS agreement had resulted in Australia winning around $1.6 billion in defence contracts.”
And as foreshadowed by the AUKUS Forum, industry experts and governments, there will be even more economic growth from the agreement.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, the UK’s Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps, and US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, were positive about the growth opportunities in their April AUKUS Defence Ministers joint statement.
“These partnerships will pave the way for further opportunities for industry to expand and strengthen trilateral supply chains, supporting a sovereign sustainment and build capability in Australia.”
Relaxing the export barriers
The opening of opportunities is likely to be further fuelled by recent changes to trade licensing burdens by the US and the soon to be finalised AUKUS trade exemptions by the three partner countries.
Early this month, to foster defence trade, the US Commerce Department introduced a rule change
that reduced licensing burdens for trade valued at more than $US7.5 billion for the UK and Australia.
As a result of the rule change, US export licensing for the UK and Australia will be nearly the same as Canada and allow commerce-controlled military items, missile technology and certain satellite related items to be exported to Australia and the UK without a licence.
A day after the change, the US State Department announced it expected to finalise exemptions for Australia and the UK from the strict export controls of defence items covered by US International Trafficking in Arms Regulations.
On announcing the status of trade exemptions, the State Department said: “Exemptions in our export control systems, within a framework of shared standards with Australia and the UK, are key to harnessing and maximising the innovative power residing in our defence industrial bases.”
This follows Australia passing the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act 2024 and reforms being introduced in the UK on its Open General Export License Program, both which will provide reciprocal exemptions for AUKUS partners to enable transfer and retransfer of most defence item without further authorisation.
According to the AUKUS Defence Ministers joint statement, “This environment will set the conditions for unparalleled levels of defence cooperation between AUKUS partners and enable the integration of our industrial bases to accelerate our technological advantage.”
Pillar 2 progressing – despite the absence of much fanfare
Pillar 2 of the agreement is centred around the development of advanced military technology in areas such as artificial intelligence, hypersonic missiles, and cyber warfare.
Despite perceptions that Pillar 2 is falling short, there have been a number of collaborative initiatives that show substantial progress such as the AUKUS Electronic Warfare Innovation Challenge, the Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum and the establishment of the Defence Investors Network.
According to analysis by Tom Corben and Sophie Mayo of the Foreign Policy and Defence Program at the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre published in The Strategist “Pillar 2 is actually making substantial progress”.
They say progress is being made in “preparing the field for future cooperation by harmonising regulatory and policy settings and by maximising operational efficiency and interchangeability of advanced capabilities already in service”.
Expanding the Agreement
Another development around the AUKUS agreement is the current considerations being given to other allies of the United States, United Kingdom and Australia joining for Pillar 2.
Japan is the first country being formally considered, with the joint statement by AUKUS Defence Ministers pointing to its “strengths and close bilateral defence partnerships with all three countries”.
New Zealand has also been in the frame for formal AUKUS Pillar 2 co-operation.
It’s been reported that while NZ’s Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, has denied the government has committed to joining Pillar 2, he has confirmed there have been exploratory talks with AUKUS members.
These talks, he said, have been to “to find out all the facts, all the aspects of what we’re talking about and then as a country to make a decision.”
Aussie Energy Innovator
POWERING A NEW FRONTIER IN SPACE EXPLORATION
While discussions around nuclear power as an alternate clean energy source are experiencing a global renaissance, a small South Australian energy company has been quietly pioneering groundbreaking nuclear technologies to propel space exploration forward.
Backed by a team of 25 experts in the field of nuclear science and engineering, Adelaide-based entX, is currently working with the Australian Government’s iLAuNCH program to commercialise two truly disruptive energy technologies to power space missions into the future.
Michael Sharpe, Founding Director of the AUKUS Forum, sees entX’s innovation as a perfect fit for AUKUS’s expanding focus on aerospace and space.
“Space is an area increasingly recognised as crucial in modern defence and global security and the collaborative AUKUS venture is set to enhance capabilities in space exploration,” Mr Sharpe said.
“entX is a great example of a small business, leading the way in innovation to build our own sovereign capabilities and leverage the opportunities presented by the trilateral AUKUS agreement.”
Heating the lunar night
One of the technologies is a groundbreaking Radioisotope Heat Unit (RHU) technology that will protect a crafts’ electronics by keeping it warm in the extreme environments faced in space, including temperatures down to minus 180C on the dark side of the lunar surface and to minus 272C in deep space.
entX with the support of the federally funded Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics (iLAuNCH)
Trailblazer and in collaboration with the University of South Australia (UniSA), is developing a protype of an RHU supported technology platform and expects to begin negotiations for early commercial supply agreements in 2025.
According to entX’s General Manager of Defence and Space, Dr Scott Edwards, while RHU’s already exist, the existing solutions were problematic from a regulatory, cost and or operational perspective.
“Plutonium-based RHUs encounter complex and restrictive supply chains, while battery solutions demand an energy management rationale that can compromise mission or experimental operations,” Dr Edwards said.
“Both solutions also contribute significant mass which substantially escalates the costs of missions.
“With the reported delivery cost of a payload to the lunar surface estimated at $1.2 million per kilogram, missions are looking for ways to minimise the weight of the elements required to produce and relay mission data back to Earth.”
Unlike the traditional RHU solutions, entX’s technology has drawn on its nuclear engineering skillsets and its strong working relationship with the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to develop an RHU powered by commercially viable radioisotopes.
“In addition to being cost effective due to dramatically lowering the mass, the lifespan of missions can extend from a singular lunar day up to a few months using entX’s entry RHU technology, or up to four years with the entX top-tier RHU,” Mr Edwards said.
“What’s more, given the radioisotopes in our design fall into the un-tiered categories of the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance’s Nuclear Flight Safety policy, the compliance demands will likely be lessened – even with multiple RHUs on a single payload.”
A reliable maintenance and fuel free power resource for space… & earth
The other technology the company is pioneering is the GenX betavoltaic power generator, which is funded through a Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant and developed in collaboration with UniSA, The University of Adelaide, the University of WA and Duromer Products.
Scott said GenX would revolutionise power management for space and remote terrestrial applications, with maintenance and fuel free technology providing reliable, long-lasting power.
“This groundbreaking technology, backed by entX’s unique skillset and strategic focus on sustainability, will revolutionise power management in space, defence, and remote sensing,” he said.
In line with entX’s priority to deliver clean energy technology that will have a positive lasting environmental, social and financial impact, GenX is powered by recycled and under-utilised radioisotopes.
Using the unique attributes of various materials, including specific metals, semiconductors, and betaemitting isotopes, GenX captures the high-energy electrons from radioactive decay to create a steady, long-lasting power source.
In addition to being sustainable from the use of recycling isotopes, the electrical and heat energy is produced without additional fuel supply, nor does it produce carbon dioxide.
A demonstration unit is currently in development, with a prototype planned shortly after for testing in a space equivalent environment to allow for commercial demonstrations.
Part of a bigger plan to fuse science and commerce for tomorrow’s energy
These technologies to support demand for space and defence are just some of the innovations in development by the company that was founded in 2014 by a group of mining, energy and manufacturing innovators that wanted to make energy and industry cleaner.
The company’s technology investment spans across a range of industry sectors, with other focus areas including Green Hydrogen, Carbon Transition Technologies, and the development of a secure Australian supply chain for medical isotopes.
AUKUS Forum’s
NEW NUCLEAR TASKFORCE SERIES TAKES OFF!
The Australian Government has several options that could be considered for nuclear waste storage disposal, following its decision to abandon the proposed Kimba site in remote South Australia, along with two other earlier shortlisted sites.
At the inaugural meeting of the Nuclear Taskforce Series by the AUKUS Forum, almost 100 business leaders, innovators and subject matter experts heard nuclear law specialist, Kirsty Braybon, outline four possible options for the Government as it considered policy around managing waste.
“Waste disposal is a priority of the Government but there is currently no policy position on it, with the minister Madeleine King ruling out the Kimba site last year, as well other earlier shortlisted sites in South Australia Lyndhurst and Wallerberdina,” Ms Braybon said.
“Since then, nothing has been said about the waste disposal pathways.
“However, in relation to AUKUS, the Defence Minister confirmed last year the government’s intent to identify a suitable site on current or future Defence land for disposal of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste from
the nuclear-propelled submarines by 2050, when the first of the nuclear reactors will have to be disposed of.”
Ms Braybon, who runs her own advisory practice and is an adjunct Lecturer in Nuclear Law at the University of Adelaide, said some of the options for Australia’s nuclear waste storage and disposal challenges included outsourcing or taking ownership and management.
“They could consider a commercial arrangement, where rather than the Government running the project, they could contract it out or alternative commercial ownership of a facility,” she said.
Ms Braybon offered two models for the Government to outsource waste management as a policy solution.
“Similar to the way nuclear power plants are run by private entities, the government could engage a private entity to construct and operate a facility, and the government could either fully fund it or fund the project by paying for the waste to be stored or disposed of there,” she said.
“Another option would be leveraging the existing infrastructure. There is a private company called Tellus Holdings, which has built and operates Australia’s
first and only nationwide hazardous waste facility in Western Australia, licensed to take low-level radioactive waste, which is the largest amount of radioactive waste that we hold in Australia.
“Though it can be a legally complex area, there are legal frameworks in place for Tellus to dispose of the Commonwealth’s radioactive waste inventory, given they are licenced and do dispose of low-level radioactive waste today.
“Tellus are also developing Chandler a deep geological storage and disposal project in the Northern Territory for safe low-level radioactive waste disposal, and they have so far gained consent from the Titjikala traditional owners in that area.”
Ms Braybon said if the Government preferred to keep ownership of nuclear waste, there were a further two options available.
“One could be comingling defence and civilian waste on defence land,” she said.
“Defence is currently considering its own land for waste associated with the submarines, so they could also consider putting civilian waste there.
“Alternatively, they could consider revisiting the land acquisition model. I know that the government has tried that many times, and it has failed, but they could consider making considerable amendments to that approach and, notably, the community engagement and indigenous land consultation issues.
“They could consider the approach taken by the Canadian government and adopt free and prior informed consent.”
“Waste disposal is a priority of the Government but there is currently no policy position on it”
The first taskforce meeting also heard from Clare Larkin-Sykes from Forelight Advisory critical minerals and the opportunities presented to Australia and AUKUS Forum advisory board member Jaz Diab who advocated for greater nuclear literacy in Australia to ensure the country was able to build sovereign capability.
The nuclear taskforce series will be held as an online presentation on the first x of every month and is free to attend, though attendance is limited. To learn more email the AUKUS Forum at cathy@aukusforum.org.
For those interested in understanding more about nuclear regulation, Kirsty and the University of Adelaide is running a week-long intensive Nuclear Regulatory Course. While preference is given to those enrolling for academic credit, it is also open to Continuing Professional Development applicants, even for those without a legal degree. To learn more visit https://law. adelaide.edu.au/ua/media/2941/law-cpd-faqs.pdf
AUKUS NEWS
Here is a collection of the latest news on AUKUS and AUKUS Forum related connect that’s been published by media, government and think tanks. This includes a summary of free access and subscription only content, with links to the actual article available via clicking on the headline.
AUKUS partners continue defence trade integration
Australian Defence Magazine reports Australia and the United Kingdom will be exempt from the United States Export Administration Regulations which will come into effect in September 2024. The aim of this exception is to invigorate collaboration between the AUKUS partners in science, technology and industry for improved codevelopment. These exemptions will allow military goods and technological items to be transferred between the countries licence-free allowing for reduction in red-tape.
Passing of foreign aid bill signals step forward for AUKUS nuclear submarine deal
Sky News reports the ‘Indo-Pacific Security Supplement’- a foreign aid package - which passed through the US House of Representatives marks a progression in the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement. This vote approved a $3.3 Billion USD contribution to grow submarine construction in the US which matched Australia’s earlier contribution.
Patience, please. AUKUS Pillar 2 is indeed making progress
The Strategist reports that AUKUS Pillar II is making progress by preparing for cooperation through unifying policy, improving ‘operational efficiency’ and ‘interchangeability of advanced capabilities already in service.’ The article suggests that the three AUKUS nations should clearly outline the expectations and goals for this phase in order to keep stakeholders invested and supportive.
Industry partners confirmed for multi-billion SSN-AUKUS deal
Defence Connect reports Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy have announced a partnership with BAE Systems and the ASC to spearhead the construction of Australia’s nuclear-powered SSNAUKUS submarines through a collaborative joint venture. The partnership was lauded by Minister Conroy for creating 20,000 skilled jobs over the next 30 years and further opportunities for Australian industry.
Japan to take part in AUKUS ‘Pillar 2’
ABC News reports Japan are expected to participate in ‘Pillar II’ of the AUKUS pact in the first expansion of the defence technologysharing arrangement according to American’s Ambassador in Tokyo, Rahm Emanuel. There is no timeline for when Japan will join this collaboration or in what capacity they will participate. According to an unnamed Australian Government source Japan would collaborate on specific defence technology projects and may not be joining as a full member.
Canada ‘exploring’ joining AUKUS amid news Japan could ‘collaborate’
News.com.au reports Canadian President Justin Trudeau is very positive about Canada collaborating with the AUKUS Alliance as he unveiled a defence policy review. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese squashed any membership expansion of AUKUS instead signalling that AUKUS was likely to collaborate with different countries on a project-to-project basis in Pillar II. Mr Albanese confirmed that Japan would be considered for engagement in Pillar II but would not be drawn into naming any further countries.
US, Japan announce partnership to accelerate nuclear fusion
Reuters reports that the United States and Japan will partner to ‘accelerate development and the commercialisation of nuclear fusion’ at a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Joe Biden. The aim of the partnership is to overcome the potential scientific and technical obstacles to delivering commercial fusion through collaborations between universities, national laboratories and private companies in the US and Japan.
Australia, US and Japan strike missile agreement to deter China
9News reports US President Joe Biden announced the launch of a new air defence strategy which involved a partnership between Australia, Japan and the United States. The aim of this initiative is to counter ‘growing air and missile threats’ through cooperative air defence architecture between the three countries. This agreement falls under Pillar 2 of the AUKUS agreement which involves the sharing and development of advanced military technology between the three countries and other collaborators.
AUKUS FORUM SOCIALS
‘IN
THE CAR WITH SHARPIE’
Jacqui Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of DekkoSecure, joined Sharpie to discuss the importance of AUKUS, the innovative work at DekkoSecure and some of the challenges SME’s in the AUKUS ecosystem face when it comes to working with highly sensitive and confidential information.
Subscribe to the AUKUS Forum YouTube channel to see who will be in the car with Sharpie next!
Come and join us at upcoming member and industry events.
WHAT’S
13 May, 2024
10am – Dubbo, NSW
Unleashing the Regional Power of AUKUS
The AUKUS Forum, in collaboration with Dubbo Regional Council, the Department of Regional NSW and the Industry Capability Network - ICN, invites businesses from across the Central West - across all industries - to learn about new opportunities from AUKUS. Speakers include: Charles Plenge - founding Partner of Veritas Asia Pacific, Ryan Esam - Managing Director and Founder of Rurex, Jonathan Baker - Business Development Manager at LiteCorp and AUKUS Forum Advisory Board Member and Nuclear expert, Lt Colonel Jasmin Diab CSC .
5pm - Old Bank Restaurant & Bar, 232 Macquarie Street, Dubbo NSW
Defence Industry Networking Drinks with AUKUS Forum
15 May,2024
11am – Online
Nuclear Taskforce Series
Limited spots available for this online in conversation event with nuclear industry leaders, from nuclear law, to nuclear propulsion and critical minerals to uranium mining and nuclear industry supply chains. Speakers include: CPT Dale Heinken Jr. - President and Managing Director of Ascent Vision Technologies, and Leigh WhickerCommercial Manager at entX Limited.
ON EVENTS CALENDAR MAY 2024
Gain knowledge at the Forum’s Speakers Series
Access valuable insights shared by the advisory board and members
