ALP conference reaches decision on AUKUS despite Labor MP breaking ranks and heckling of Defence Minister Richard Marles

The Labor National Conference has finally reached an agreement on the pivotal AUKUS deal, although the debate was not without a fair share of chaos.

Defence Minister Richard Marles was repeatedly heckled by delegates during his lengthy speech in favour of the defence agreement, ahead of a motion to pass the policy.

Mr Marles told gathered delegates the world was witnessing the “single biggest conventional military buildup” since the end of the Second World War.

“In the year 2000, China had six nuclear-powered submarines. By the end of the decade, they will have 21,” he said.

“Now these are not our decisions, these are not our choices. But this is the world we live in and it is our unavoidable obligation to navigate our way through it.”

He argued that Australia had to take the step toward nuclear-powered submarines, which would still allow the country to fall in line with its anti-nuclear weaponry obligations.

The crowd had a mixed response to Mr Marles’ speech, with interjections from the floor flowing freely throughout his address.

Several Labor loyalists were heard yelling “ban nuclear power” but the protestations were quickly drowned out by cheers and a standing ovation from other sections of the room.

A federal Labor backbencher broke ranks in a shocking breach of caucus solidarity, taking to the floor of the national conference to speak out against the AUKUS deal.

Josh Wilson, the MP for Fremantle, claimed purchasing submarines involved too many risks and was “not justified”.

“Submarines certainly have a deterrent value, but deterrence is not a one-word justification for any and every defence acquisition,” he said.

Several union bosses also spoke out at the conference, with some lining up behind the Defence Minister in support of the deal and others vehemently opposing AUKUS.

The Labor Environment Action Network spoke in favour of an amendment to remove nuclear submarines from the Defence Minister’s resolution, telling the conference there was “deep concern” about the AUKUS deal.

“I’m scared that a world that has more nuclear power is more dangerous,” said Felicity Wade, the LEAN’s national co-convenor.

“I’m scared nuclear-powered submarines means militarisation at our ports… and no one really knows what the heck to do with the waste and it’s bloody dangerous and toxic stuff.”

Speaking to Sky News Australia following the speech, Mr Marles said he was “happy” with the support AUKUS eventually received.

“I am happy. You would expect nothing else (than being heckled) from a Labor conference in the back rows,” Mr Marles said.

“This is obviously a really big issue, it’s a big decision.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also delivered a speech following the debate, where he urged Labor delegates to accept the world “as it is, not what we want it to be”.

“Nuclear-powered submarines are what Australia needs in the future,” he said.

He added the AUKUS agreement was an “act of clear-eyed pragmatism” to enable Australia to strengthen its place in the world.

The Prime Minister’s speech received a standing ovation and was widely praised by pundits, with Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell saying it was the “best speech I’ve ever heard him give”.