Public Inquiry Urges Australia to Scrap $368 Billion AUKUS Pact

Former Australian Defence Force chief Chris Barrie and former Labor minister Peter Garrett launched a report on Wednesday at the National Press Club in Canberra calling for the immediate termination of the $368 billion AUKUS nuclear submarine pact. The report, titled "Surrendering Australia: The AUKUS Deception," describes the agreement as the "worst, riskiest and most costly" defense decision in Australian history, arguing it undermines national sovereignty and increases the risk of military conflict with China.

The crowdfunded AUKUS Public Inquiry recommends scrapping the Pillar I submarine program, reviewing Pillar II, and establishing a royal commission. The report warns that the Stirling defense precinct in Perth could become a "de facto US base," making surrounding communities targets for nuclear strikes. Peter Garrett specifically criticized the lack of detail regarding nuclear waste disposal, calling the omission "galling" for First Nations peoples who previously suffered from British nuclear testing in South Australia.

Admiral Barrie argued that purchasing conventional submarines "off the shelf" would be a faster way to replace the aging Collins-class fleet. He further suggested that the government must recalibrate its diplomatic relationship with Beijing. The inquiry noted that the Albanese government largely ignored the process, with no sitting MPs attending hearings or providing submissions.

The Government of Australia rejected the findings, maintaining that the pact is vital for long-term defense capability and regional stability. Officials estimate the program will create 20,000 jobs over 30 years, while the Australian Submarine Agency asserts that only nuclear-powered vessels can meet future defense requirements.