‘A facility for them’: Labor says WA shipyard to be used by US for sub maintenance as it commits $12bn

Defence minister says Henderson naval shipyard south of Perth very much an Australian sovereign capability' but admits US will use it too

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The US will be able to use a major naval precinct in Western Australia to dock and maintain its own nuclear-powered submarines, the federal government has confirmed, after committing $12bn to upgrade the shipyard.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, on Sunday insisted the shipyard was an Australian facility" as he downplayed suggestions the announcement was timed to appease US demands for increased Australian defence spending ahead of a potential face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump.