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A nuclear-powered U.S. Navy submarine cruises into the Navy Port at Port Canaveral on March 8, 2023. Australia is expected to purchase as many as five Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the United States under the new AUKUS deal. /CFP
Over a thousand people rallied in Port Kembla in Australia's state of New South Wales on Saturday to protest plans to establish a local base for nuclear submarines at the heart of the AUKUS agreement.
Members from the local activist group Wollongong Against War and Nukes (WAWAN) carried a banner that read "No war no nukes." Union representatives and members of the Australian Labor Party also joined the rally, some other banners read "No to AUKUS," "No nuclear submarine," and "No place for a nuclear base."
Event organizers said they are seeking to "send a clear message that (they) don't want a nuclear submarine base here or anywhere else," local media reported.
Local media cited WAWAN member Alexander Brown saying the establishment of such a base would hamper the region's transition into the renewable energy industry.
This is pointless war-mongering by Americans in the region, he said.
"What we need now more than ever is a rapid transition into a renewable economy and peace in the region," he added, "We don't want it here or anywhere else."
Port Kembla, a coastal town about a 100 km south of Sydney, along with Newcastle and Brisbane, were named by the former Morrison government as potential sites for a base on Australia's east coast.
The Albanese government said it will take the time required to consider all feasible options.
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Copyright © 2023 CGTN. 京ICP备16065310号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466