The government has announced it will establish a new agency and a new regulator to deliver Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program.
According to a media release issued by Deputy PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles, the new Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) will be responsible for "cradle-to-grave" management and oversight of Australia's nuclear submarines, including: acquisition, delivery, construction, technical governance, sustainment, and disposal.
The ASA will also enable the necessary policy, legal, non-proliferation, workforce, security and safety arrangements, the release said.
The Royal Australian Navy will continue to be responsible for training submariners and operating Australia’s submarines.
The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce, which currently operates as part of Defence, will transition to the ASA on 1 July. It will be headed by a Director General, the appointment of which will be announced by the government "at the appropriate time".
The government will also establish a new independent statutory regulator, the Australian Nuclear-Powered Submarine Safety Regulator.
The new regulator will have the functions and powers necessary to regulate the unique circumstances associated with nuclear safety and radiological protection across the lifecycle of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine enterprise, the release said. This includes associated infrastructure and facilities.
The regulator will be independent of the Australian Defence Force’s chain of command and directions from the Department of Defence.
Both the ASA and the regulator will report directly to the Minister for Defence.
“The 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," Marles said.
“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.”