AUKUS Review Sparks Uncertainty for Port Adelaide Community

For bakery owner Philip Donnelly, the AUKUS security pact has signaled long-term stability for the Port Adelaide area. He foresees a boost in local employment as thousands of nuclear submarine workers are expected to be based at the nearby Osborne Naval Shipyard in the future.

However, recent developments have cast doubt on that optimism. The U.S. government announced a review of the agreement on Thursday, prompting concern among residents and business owners alike. Donnelly, who has invested both personally and professionally in the region, expressed his unease.

“There was a lot of confidence around the initial announcement, and a lot of investment in infrastructure and in business,” he said. “I know many people have put money into manufacturing, so they’re probably feeling pretty nervous about what’s coming next and how things will unfold.”

For others in the community, the review was less of a surprise. Ryan Jones, chair of the Port Adelaide Traders Association, predicted that an assessment would happen following the U.S. election. “I was surprised it took them this long,” he said. “We kind of expected it. We saw similar things happen in the UK when Keir Starmer became leader.”

Both federal and state officials responded to the news by downplaying concerns about the pact’s future. Defence Minister Richard Marles expressed confidence that AUKUS would proceed as planned. He described the review as similar to those regularly conducted by the Australian government and noted that Australia had been briefed in advance about the process.