newy.com.au – Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe has urged state MP Tim Crakanthorp to publicly oppose a potential AUKUS submarine base in the city, arguing that opposition to a Port Kembla base could increase pressure on Newcastle.
Cr McCabe said Shellharbour Labor MP Anna Watson had publicly rejected Port Kembla as a base location, citing widespread opposition in her community. She called on Newcastle’s state and federal representatives to take a similar stand.
“It’s high time our state MP spoke out against the AUKUS base proposal that’s hanging over our heads,” Cr McCabe said.
Her call links the debate over a possible east coast submarine base to Newcastle’s longstanding nuclear-free position. Cr McCabe said that position dated to 1982, under Labor lord mayor Joy Cummings, and had been reaffirmed during the current council term.
She said Newcastle and Port Kembla had been flagged as potential locations, and criticised what she described as a lack of community consultation or information about the economic, social and security implications for Newcastle.
Cr McCabe argued that local representatives needed to speak against the proposal rather than allow their silence to be interpreted as support. Her statement did not set out Mr Crakanthorp’s position.
Greens state candidate for Newcastle Lucinda Miller also opposed the prospect of a base, arguing that workers should have access to jobs supporting peace and a sustainable future.
newy.com.au has requested a statement from Mr Crakanthorp.
