Crackdown on loose-lipped ex-soldiers to boost security

Australia will receive three secondhand US nuclear submarines as part of the AUKUS deal.

Former defence personnel or public servants who spill the nation’s most classified secrets will face decades behind bars under imminent new laws.

The government is clamping down on leaks and beefing up export control laws to assure the US and UK it can protect sensitive military secrets as the three nations work towards Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact.

The laws are set to pass parliament this week.

Australia’s ambassador to the US and former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd has been pushing for the expedited passing of the AUKUS legislation as Washington grapples with internal pressure over the transfer of nuclear subs.

Defence Minister Richard Marles remains confident Australia will receive three second-hand Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines from the US despite any manufacturing capability hiccups or the outcome of the US election.

The US president of the day will need to agree to the transfer, the first of which is set for the early 2030s.

That requirement has raised concerns about a protectionist leader deciding to focus on the US navy’s firepower instead.

But Mr Marles said American bipartisanship over AUKUS was shown at the end of 2023 when legislation passed Congress.

“We understand that their industrial base is stretched … it’s why we’ve made a contribution to their industrial base, which was a significant step for us to take but was part of how we managed to get this deal up,” he said.

“Everyone in America across the political spectrum understands the strategic benefit in Australia having this capability, understands the importance to America of having strong allies.”