US names first submarine for Australian deployment; MP raises safety concerns for women in politics

The USS Colorado will be the first Virginia-class submarine to rotate through Western Australia under the AUKUS pact, as federal politicians grapple with security following the attack on Helen Haines.

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published26 October 2026

Updated26 October 2026

Read Time2 min

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The United States has named the USS Colorado as the first nuclear-powered submarine to deploy to Western Australia under the AUKUS defence pact, while in Canberra an MP asked Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek how she would reassure young women that public life remained safe following the attack on independent MP Helen Haines.

The USS Colorado will be the first of up to four American fast-attack submarines to rotate through Submarine Rotational Force-West near Perth, starting in late 2027. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment in a joint statement with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and UK counterpart Wes Streeting. The statement said all activities at SRF-West would be consistent with Australia’s obligations under nuclear non-proliferation treaties. Democratic congressman Joe Courtney, a key AUKUS advocate in the US Congress, called it “yet another milestone achievement” in making the pact a reality.

In parliament on Monday, MPs paused regular debate to pay tribute to Helen Haines. In the independent MP’s empty seat, the crossbench placed an orange cockatoo, a symbol from her campaign. During question time, MP for Bradfield Nicolette Boele asked Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek how she would reassure young women that public life was safe for them. The attack on Haines left her with both legs lost, following a car crash police allege was deliberate.

The government is also proceeding with the sale of Victoria Barracks in Sydney as part of a $3 billion divestment of 67 defence properties. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the site should be returned to Australians to celebrate the nation’s military history.

Separately, the husband of a Liberal candidate in Victoria’s upcoming state election was allegedly assaulted after approaching another man who was removing Liberal campaign signage, leaving him with facial fractures. A 59-year-old man has been charged with assault and criminal damage and bailed.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The naming of the USS Colorado marks a tangible step in the AUKUS pact, with the first submarine rotation scheduled for late 2027, affecting regional security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
The attack on Helen Haines and subsequent parliamentary questions highlight ongoing concerns about the safety of politicians, particularly women, in Australia.
The combined focus on defence deployment and domestic security underscores a week of significant political and security developments.

Background

The AUKUS trilateral security pact, announced in 2021, involves Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines with US and UK technology. The rotational force in Western Australia is a key phase before eventual Australian-owned submarines. Helen Haines, independent MP for Indi, was seriously injured in a car crash on 22 October 2026 that police allege was a deliberate attack. The incident has prompted discussions about violence against politicians.

What to Watch

The next steps in the AUKUS submarine rotation timeline and any further announcements about submarine types or basing.
Debate on Labor’s Digital Duty of Care bill, which faces a Senate inquiry after opposition from the Coalition and Greens.
The outcome of the court case against the man charged in the assault on the Liberal candidate's husband, as broader concerns about political violence continue.

Sources

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

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Partly supportedThe US has named the first submarine for Australian deployment.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The USS Colorado has been named as the first Virginia-class submarine to be deployed to Western Australia under the AUKUS defence pact next year.”
SupportedBoele asked Plibersek how she would reassure young women that public life was safe following the attack on Haines.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “During question time, MP for Bradfield Nicolette Boele asked Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek how she would reassure young women that public life was safe for them following the attack on Haines.”
SupportedFederal politicians were grappling with security following the attack on Haines.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Discussions about safety and security for MPs was another prominent theme of the day in parliament.”
SupportedThe USS Colorado is the first nuclear-powered submarine to deploy to Western Australia under AUKUS.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The USS Colorado has been named as the first Virginia-class submarine to be deployed to Western Australia under the AUKUS defence pact next year. The nuclear-powered vessel will be the first of up to four American fast-attack submarines to rotate through Submarine Rotational Force-West, near Perth”
SupportedUp to four American fast-attack submarines will rotate through SRF-West.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The nuclear-powered vessel will be the first of up to four American fast-attack submarines to rotate through Submarine Rotational Force-West, near Perth”
SupportedThe rotation is due to start in late 2027.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “starting in late 2027.”
SupportedHegseth announced the deployment in a joint statement with Marles and Streeting.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment in a statement with Defence Minister Richard Marles and their British counterpart Wes Streeting.”
SupportedCourtney called the deployment “yet another milestone achievement” in making AUKUS a reality.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Democratic congressman Joe Courtney, a key advocate for AUKUS in the US Congress, said it marked “yet another milestone achievement” in making the pact a reality.”
SupportedMPs paused debate on Monday to pay tribute to Haines, and the crossbench put an orange cockatoo in her empty seat.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “MPs paused regular parliamentary debate yesterday to pay tribute to Helen Haines. In Haines’ empty seat inside the chamber, the crossbench placed an orange cockatoo, a symbol from the independent MP’s campaign.”
SupportedHaines lost both legs in a car crash that police allege was deliberate.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “federal MP Helen Haines lost both her legs as a result of a car crash that police allege was a deliberate act.”
SupportedThe government is proceeding with the Victoria Barracks sale as part of a $3 billion divestment of 67 defence properties.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The government is proceeding with plans to sell the 15-hectare site in Paddington as part of a broader $3 billion divestment of 67 defence properties around the country.”
Partly supportedThe husband of a Liberal candidate was allegedly assaulted after approaching a man removing campaign signage; he suffered facial fractures, and a 59-year-old man was charged and bailed.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Police and the Liberal Party have confirmed that the partner of Amanda Dow, the candidate for Yan Yean, approached another man who was removing Liberal campaign signage from a street in Mernda on Sunday afternoon. The Liberal campaign said Dow’s husband was left in hospital with fractures to his face following the assault”

Correction

26 October 2026An earlier version of this story said the Liberal candidate’s husband was removing campaign signage when he was allegedly assaulted. He had approached another man who was removing the signs.