Peter Garrett to head independent inquiry into the Aukus submarine pact
Peter Garrett says there should have been a parliamentary inquiry into the $368bn Aukus deal. Photograph: Adam Ferguson/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Peter Garrett says there should have been a parliamentary inquiry into the $368bn Aukus deal. Photograph: Adam Ferguson/The Guardian Peter Garrett to head independent inquiry into the Aukus submarine pact Exclusive: Former Labor minister will lead the community-based investigation and report in October Peter Garrett on why Australians deserve the truth about Aukus – Full Story podcast Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Former environment minister Peter Garrett will lead an independent inquiry into the Aukus defence pact, launched by a group of Labor veterans and public figures concerned proper scrutiny has never been applied to the $368bn defence plan . Garrett, the Midnight Oil frontman and longtime environmental campaigner, will be the lead commissioner on the five-month community-based investigation, being launched on Tuesday. It will hold public hearings and take written submissions before delivering a final report by 30 October. Labor agreed to support the deal for Australia to acquire nuclear submarines in collaboration with the United States and the United Kingdom, negotiated under the former Morrison government and announced in 2021. As part of the agreement, Australia is funding upgrades to the US defence industrial base and will start receiving secondhand nuclear submarines in 2032. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email The UK parliament held a year-long review into the trilateral partnership and, after an inquiry by the Pentagon in 2025, US President Donald Trump agreed to support it . But some within Labor, including former prime minister Paul Keating, as well as civil society groups believe Aukus is not in Australia’s best interest. Garrett said the new inquiry – supported by trade unions and non-profit organisations – will consider if the subs can be delivered on time and on budget, how nuclear waste will be managed and if Australia’s defence and strategic interests are well served by the deal. He has previously lashed Aukus, saying the plan “stinks” and represents “the most costly and risky action ever taken by any Australian government”. “This inquiry is doing the job that a proper parliamentary inquiry should be doing,” Garrett told Guardian Australia. “How is it that there’s been inquiries about the submarine program in other countries and we haven’t had a full parliamentary inquiry here?” A group of commissioners will be named to lead the inquiry, convened under the auspices of the Australian Peace and Security Forum. Critical to its deliberations will be the rise of China and the prospect of conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. Nuclear non-proliferation issues, employment and environmental consequences are also among the inquiry’s terms-of-reference. Despite the Albanese government ex
Garretts call for a parliamentary inquiry shows a commitment to transparency and accountability. Its time for the Australian people to know the full story behind Aukus. Lets hope for a fair and unbiased investigation that holds our leaders accountable. #AukusScandal #ParliamentaryInquiry
Peter Garretts call for a parliamentary inquiry into the Aukus submarine pact is a welcome step towards transparency and accountability. Its crucial for the Australian people to have a comprehensive understanding of the deals implications and to hold those involved accountable. Lets hope for a fair and unbiased investigation that sheds light on the full story behind Aukus. #Aukus #PeterGarrett #Transparency #Accountability
Garretts call for transparency is a welcome step. Lets hope the inquiry delivers answers Australians deserve, fostering trust and accountability in our national security decisions.
Peter Garretts call for transparency on Aukus is long overdue. Australians deserve the truth, even if it means a little less time spent on fake news and more time with actual facts. Lets hope the inquiry delivers the answers we need.
Peter Garretts call for transparency on the Aukus submarine pact is long overdue. Australians deserve the truth, not just feel-good platitudes. Lets hope the inquiry delivers real facts, not more spin. #truthfirst
Garretts call for transparency is a step forward, but lets see concrete actions, not just more words. Lets hope for a thorough, unbiased investigation that answers the real questions.
As an academic, I appreciate the importance of transparency and accountability in international relations. Peter Garretts call for an independent inquiry into the Aukus submarine pact highlights the need for thorough examination of complex diplomatic agreements. Its crucial that such inquiries provide comprehensive insights and avoid sensationalism, ensuring that all parties involved can learn and move forward constructively.