Port Kembla rally to demand NSW site be ruled out as Aukus nuclear submarine base

The former Morrison government named it as well as Newcastle and Brisbane as three potential sites for a new east coast base, with reports earlier this year suggesting Port Kembla was favoured by defence planners.

The government believes it can take the time to weigh up the decision, with the more immediate priority being infrastructure works at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, which will host rotational visits by US and UK submarines from 2027.

But the rethink has failed to ease concerns of opponents of a new base in Port Kembla. Those opponents say they expect more than 1,000 people to march on Saturday.

Some Labor party members plan to march as part of a newly formed anti-Aukus network, named Labor Against War.

To date the federal Labor caucus is largely united behind the Aukus agreement, even though some MPs have asked questions.

But rank-and-file members who hold concerns are understood to have been emboldened to become more active after several prominent Labor figures including the former prime minister Paul Keating spoke out against Aukus.