Perth / Western Australia

One of the first ones comes from local mother Latoya Voogt.

She prefaces her question by referencing a recent Four Corners investigation that discussed the heightened risk of an attack on Australian bases with US nuclear submarines in port.

"If a hypersonic missile is launched at nuclear submarines, what is the process for informing and evacuating the residents?" Latoya asks.

A mid-shot of Rockingham resident Latoya Voogt posing for a photo indoors in a black top. Rockingham resident Latoya Voogt is worried about the area becoming a target for attack. (ABC News: Rhiannon Shine)

"We are unwillingly living on the frontline." Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead responds by saying the nuclear-powered submarines are all about making Australia safer.

"The reason Australia is embarking on a capability that has such incredible flexibility and stealth is actually to defend Australia, protect our people, and to ensure our prosperity is maintained," he says.

"We live in a region that is deteriorating by the year. We're seeing a number of countries blatantly disregarding the rules-based order.

"These submarines are designed to prevent an adversary from attacking Australia."

Unsatisfied with the response, Latoya repeats her question about what the plan is for informing residents of an emergency.

She's eventually told that people would get alerts and information through the police, in the same way they do when there is a bushfire emergency.

Military goes to community for respectful community consultation and engagement, military fucks up simple task by being dismissive shithead to community member, asking an easily answerable programmatic question.