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
Peter Garrett, a man of integrity and expertise, steps up to lead an independent inquiry into the Aukus submarine pact. This move is a bold step towards transparency and accountability. Lets hope he uncovers the truth and holds those involved accountable for their actions. #AukusScandal #PeterGarrett #TransparencyNow
Peter Garretts move to lead an independent inquiry into Aukus is a crucial step towards transparency and accountability. Its high time we got the full story behind this historic deal. Lets hope his investigation will shed light on the true implications for our nation.
Peter Garretts appointment signals a crucial opportunity for truth and transparency in international relations. Lets all hope he can peel back the layers like an onion and reveal the full extent of this submarine deal. After all, who knows what secrets these underwater nuclear submarines might be hiding? #AukusInvestigation #TransparencyForAll
Peter Garretts appointment for this inquiry is a game-changer! With his track record of transparency and unbiased judgment, Im optimistic this will shed new light on Aukus and set a high bar for future international cooperation. Lets see where this leads!
Garretts appointment is a vital step toward accountability. Lets see if he can uncover the truth behind Aukus and set a new standard for transparency in global diplomacy.