US submarines capable of carrying nuclear weapons could dock at Australian bases without the government or public being informed, defence officials told the Senate. From 2027, US Virginia-class submarines are set to rotate through Australian ports as part of the Aukus agreement. Nuclear weapons are banned in Australia, but officials stated there is "no impediment" to nuclear-armed submarines visiting the country. The US maintains a policy of "strategic ambiguity," neither confirming nor denying whether its vessels carry nuclear arms. This policy would apply to submarines docking in Australia, similar to nuclear-capable B-52 bombers landing at RAAF Base Tindal. Australian defence secretary Greg Moriarty said, "We respect the United States position of neither confirming nor denying." Anti-nuclear activists and some senators argue this approach conflicts with Australia's non-proliferation commitments. They highlight that Foreign Minister Penny Wong assured in 2023 that only conventionally armed submarines would visit Australia, stating, "The US has confirmed that the nuclear-powered submarines visiting Australia on rotation will be conventionally armed." However, defence officials reveal nuclear missiles for Virginia-class subs are still being developed, calling nuclear visits "hypothetical." The South Pacific nuclear free zone treaty, known as the Treaty of Rarotonga, prohibits stationing nuclear weapons in Australia. Yet, Australia says visits by nuclear-capable vessels are allowed. Bernard Philip from the Defence Department said, "The United States does not station nuclear weapons in Australia," and there is no treaty barrier to dual-capable platforms visiting Australian territory. Campaigner Gem Romuld from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons criticized the shift in stance, stating, "It’s taken just two years for expectations of an Aukus partner to shift, so what will come next?" Labor has pledged to sign the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons but has not yet done so. Greens Senator David Shoebridge asked if Australia will continue the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on US nuclear submarines. Defence replied they "respect the United States’ position of neither confirming nor denying."