Politics · Australia · 52 mins ago
Garrett-led inquiry calls for Australia to scrap AUKUS submarine program
A Peter Garrett-led inquiry has called for Australia to end AUKUS’s submarine program and investigate the pact.
AUKUS is an agreement involving Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, with one part focused on nuclear-powered submarines.
The inquiry says the submarine delivery timetable may be unachievable, potentially leaving Australia without an effective underwater fighting force.
It warns that the pact could threaten Australia’s sovereignty and draw it into a US-China conflict.
It also says taxpayers could lose billions of dollars to US and British shipbuilders without receiving the promised submarines.
The inquiry recommends a royal commission, an independent audit of costs and suspending plans for US submarines to rotate through a base near Perth.
It urges the Albanese government to develop an alternative submarine plan and review other parts of AUKUS.
A union- and community-backed inquiry led by Peter Garrett has called for Australia to terminate the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program.
The inquiry says the pact threatens national sovereignty, could draw Australia into a war with China and may fail to deliver the promised submarines.
Its 16 recommendations include a royal commission, an independent cost audit and suspending plans to host rotating US submarines near Perth.
Former Australian defence force chief Chris Barrie, a commissioner on the inquiry, says the government has not explained what the submarines are for.
The inquiry says Australia should develop an alternative submarine acquisition strategy and publish a comprehensive national security strategy.
- Who
- An independent inquiry led by former Labor minister Peter Garrett.
- What
- It called for AUKUS Pillar I, the nuclear-powered submarine program, to be terminated immediately.
- When
- The report was reported on November 4, 2026.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- The inquiry says the program risks national sovereignty, could draw Australia into a war with China and may not deliver the promised submarines.
AUKUS inquiry
Australian government and Australian Submarine Agency
Purpose and need
AUKUS inquiry
The inquiry says the government has not explained the submarines’ missions or why they are needed.
Australian government and Australian Submarine Agency
The agency says only nuclear-powered submarines acquired through AUKUS will meet Australia’s defence requirements in the decades ahead.
Costs and risks
AUKUS inquiry
The inquiry says AUKUS is too costly and risky, and could leave Australia without the promised submarines.
Australian government and Australian Submarine Agency
The agency says conventional submarines will be increasingly less able to meet Australia’s needs.
The Garrett-led inquiry’s report called for immediate termination of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program.
HMAS Stirling is due to host a rotating force of up to four American nuclear-powered submarines and one British submarine.
- Inquiry recommendations
- 16
- AUKUS component targeted for termination
- Pillar I, the nuclear-powered submarine program
- Inquiry report
- Surrendering Australia: The AUKUS Deception
- Planned submarine rotation
- Up to four American submarines and one British submarine at HMAS Stirling from 2027
- Proposed cost audit
- Independent audit by the Australian National Audit Office
2 sources
What people are saying
AUKUS is the worst, riskiest and most costly defence decision ever made by an Australian government
An assertion is not an explanation.
only nuclear-powered submarines, acquired through the Aukus partnership, will meet Australia’s defence requirements in the decades ahead