Ask Onix
Crowdfunded inquiry to scrutinize Australia's $368bn defense pact
A former Australian environment minister will spearhead an independent, publicly funded examination of the Aukus submarine agreement, the nation's largest-ever defense procurement. Peter Garrett, who held the environment portfolio from 2007 to 2010, called the review "long overdue" and criticized the lack of parliamentary and public input on the A$368 billion ($239 billion; £176 billion) deal.
Who is leading the review?
Garrett, also known for his role as the lead singer of Midnight Oil, will chair the inquiry alongside four commissioners. The panel includes retired Admiral Chris Barrie, former chief of the Australian Defence Force, and Carmen Lawrence, a former premier of Western Australia. Karen Lester, whose Aboriginal father lost his sight due to British nuclear tests in South Australia during the 1950s, will also serve as a commissioner.
Scope and timeline
The five-month review will hold public hearings and deliver its findings in October. Key questions include whether the nuclear-powered submarines will enhance Australia's security, how nuclear waste will be managed, and whether the deal compromises national sovereignty. The inquiry will also assess the pact's impact on regional stability and Australia's relationship with China, its largest trading partner.
Political and public backing
The review is organized by the not-for-profit Australian Peace and Security Forum and has garnered support from independent MPs David Pocock and Andrew Wilkie, as well as former lawmakers, retired military officers, human rights lawyers, and union leaders. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the government supports "appropriate oversight and transparency" of the submarine deal.
Controversies and recent changes
The Aukus pact, announced in September 2021, is widely seen as a countermeasure to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in disputed areas like the South China Sea. Beijing condemned the agreement as "extremely irresponsible" upon its unveiling. This week, the Australian government revised the deal, opting to purchase three second-hand US submarines instead of at least one new vessel. Starting in 2027, the US and UK will station a limited number of nuclear submarines in Perth, Western Australia.
Broader implications
Critics argue the deal sidelines democratic debate, with Garrett stating that the opportunity to "question, debate, and decide" has been removed from public and parliamentary hands. The review will also explore whether Australia will receive the submarines it is paying for and how the pact affects its strategic autonomy.
"This is the most expensive defense project in Australian history, yet the people and parliament have been shut out of the process."
Peter Garrett, former Australian environment minister
