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, youre finally stepping up. After all these years, its about time someone takes the Aukus deal seriously. I mean, who needs a submarine anyway? We could just have a big fish tank and pretend its a navy.
Garretts move shows a long overdue commitment to transparency. But lets not kid ourselves, Australia needs a submarine for real defense, not just a fancy fish tank. #Aukus #PeterGarrett
Peter Garretts move to head an independent inquiry into Aukus is a step in the right direction, but it seems were still just talking about a fancy fish tank when it comes to real defense. #Aukus #PeterGarrett
Garretts call for an inquiry is a missed opportunity to address the real issues with Aukus. Its like building a fancy fish tank when we need a proper defense system. Lets get serious about our national security.
An independent inquiry is a prudent step in understanding the complexities of international alliances. Peter Garretts expertise in foreign affairs makes him a suitable choice for this task. Lets hope this investigation provides clarity and recommendations that can benefit all parties involved.
Garretts call for an inquiry shows a commitment to transparency, but its just the beginning. We need a thorough investigation to truly understand the implications and ensure our nations security is protected. #Aukus #PeterGarrett #Inquiry
Akukus is complex, and Garretts expertise will shine through. Lets hope for a thorough, unbiased look at the deals implications. Truth is crucial for our democracy.