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The federal government has announced that it will establish the Australian Submarine Agency and the Australian Nuclear-Powered Submarine Safety Regulator to support the development of a nuclear-powered submarine capability.
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The Albanese government has announced that it will create a new agency and regulator to support the delivery of a nuclear-powered submarine capability for the Royal Australian Navy.
Established by Executive Order, the Commonwealth detailed that the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) will "enable" policy, legal, non-proliferation, workforce, and safety arrangements, and will be responsible for directing the following areas in the “cradle-to-grave management” of the capability:
- acquisition;
- delivery;
- construction;
- technical governance;
- sustainment; and
- disposal.
Despite the creation of the Agency, the Deputy Prime Minister's office confirmed that Navy will still oversee the training of submariners, and the operating the nation's nuclear-powered submarines.
It is expected that the Agency will be headed by a yet-to-be announced director general, with the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce set to transition to the Agency on 1 July 2023.
As part of the announcement, the government has also established a new independent statutory regulator.
Dubbed the Australian Nuclear-Powered Safety Regulator, the body will regulate nuclear safety, radiological protection, and infrastructure. The federal government has confirmed that it will be independent of the ADF's chain of command and directions from the Department.
“The Albanese government is delivering on its commitment to the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, which is the single biggest investment in our defence capability in our history,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles explained.
“The establishment of the Australian Submarine Agency and the Australian Nuclear-Powered Submarine Safety Regulator are critical elements of delivering this game-changing capability and will ensure the safe and successful implementation of the pathway for Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.
“The ASA will be responsible and accountable for delivering the ambitious program to acquire Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines.
“A specialised and dedicated regulator — which will be independent of Defence and the Australian Defence Force — will ensure we have the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection across the lifecycle of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines.”
