Albanese said “progressing these capabilities is absolutely critical”.

What will the $12 billion expansion be used for?

Facilities will also be built to support surface combat vessels and docking capabilities for conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (far right) has said the Henderson facility “will provide the place where we will see the building of the Mogami-class frigate in Australia”. Source: AAP / Trevor Collens

Asked on Sunday if the US would be able to use the facility for its nuclear-powered submarines, Marles said: “This is an AUKUS facility and so I would expect so”.

“We did speak about AUKUS in the meetings that I had in Washington a couple of weeks ago, and there was a positive sentiment there about how we’re proceeding,” he told Sky News television, according to a transcript.

Before the Virginia-class submarines are received, the Henderson facility will receive “a rotation of US and UK vessels”, Albanese said on Sunday.

‘Huge opportunity’ for the WA economy

“We want Western Australians to have access to the quality jobs and the business opportunities that come from a diversified economy, and the development of our defence industries is an important part.”

The Australian government has said the development of the Henderson facility will support thousands of well-paid local jobs. Source: Supplied / Ventia

The investment could potentially overtake agriculture as Western Australia’s second biggest industry, Cook said.

The two biggest “winners” from the move are Western Australia and South Australia, Albanese said.

Australia prepares to sign ‘historic’ defence deal with PNG

“But the level of ambition that both of us have brought to the table has meant that really, I believe what we’ll be saying in the next few days is a genuinely historic agreement between our two countries.”