A new political landscape in Washington

Australia's multibillion-dollar AUKUS nuclear submarine programme faces a changing political landscape in Washington after Democrats secured control of the US Congress in the November midterm elections.

The result gives Democrats greater influence over congressional oversight and federal spending, which could affect debates over American submarine production and defence industrial investment. Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the United States before eventually operating a new class of submarines developed with Britain.

The programme depends partly on expanding American shipbuilding capacity, which has faced production delays and workforce constraints. There has been no announcement that the incoming Congress intends to cancel or suspend the agreement.

Warning to keep both parties close

Former Australian ambassador to Washington Arthur Sinodinos has urged Canberra to maintain relationships with both major US political parties and to prepare for political change beyond the 2028 presidential election.

The midterm result comes days after a citizen-funded public inquiry in Australia called for the AUKUS programme to be abandoned. Led by former defence chief Chris Barrie and former Labor minister Peter Garrett, the inquiry described the $368 billion agreement as the worst, most costly and riskiest defence decision in Australian history and called for a royal commission.

Government stands by the deal

The Albanese government rejected the inquiry's conclusions, maintaining that AUKUS remains central to Australia's national security strategy.

The three AUKUS partners announced on 27 October that the US nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Colorado would become the first vessel assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West in Western Australia in late 2027. The force is expected eventually to accommodate up to four American and one British nuclear-powered attack submarines, operating from HMAS Stirling.