Crowd-Funded Review Challenges Australia’s $239 Billion Aukus Submarine Pact
Former environment minister Peter Garrett will lead an independent inquiry into the defense deal’s impact on regional peace and national sovereignty.
Primary source: BBC World News. Full source links, newsroom standards, and correction details are below.
Fast summary
Start here
- Former minister Peter Garrett and retired military leaders are launching a five-month independent inquiry into the Aukus deal.
- The A$368bn project involves Australia acquiring second-hand US Virginia-class nuclear submarines to replace its aging fleet.
- The inquiry aims to address concerns over nuclear waste storage, sovereignty, and the strategic impact on relations with China.
What happened
Former Australian environment minister Peter Garrett has launched a crowd-funded inquiry into the multi-billion-dollar Aukus submarine pact. Supported by the Australian Peace and Security Forum, the review will involve public hearings and a report scheduled for release in October. Garrett, joined by former military and political figures, argues that the public and parliament have been excluded from deciding on the nation's most expensive defense project.
What's new in this update
The inquiry follows recent government updates to the deal, which specify that Australia will now purchase three second-hand Virginia-class attack submarines from the United States rather than new vessels. The five-month review will specifically investigate whether these nuclear-powered submarines will improve Australian security or negatively impact the country's standing regarding regional peace and diplomatic relations.
Key details
The inquiry commission includes Admiral Chris Barrie, the former chief of the Australian Defence Force, and Carmen Lawrence, the former premier of Western Australia. They will examine critical issues such as nuclear waste storage, the potential for the deal to undermine Australian sovereignty, and the total financial risk of the A$368bn ($239bn) investment. Independent MPs David Pocock and Andrew Wilkie have also endorsed the review.
Background and context
Announced in September 2021, the Aukus pact between Australia, the UK, and the US is intended to counter China's expanding presence in the Indo-Pacific region. China has condemned the agreement as extremely irresponsible. From 2027, the deal will allow the US and UK to base a small number of nuclear submarines in Perth, Western Australia, marking a significant shift in regional military posturing.
What to watch next
The inquiry's final report is expected in October 2024. While a spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government welcomes oversight, the official policy remains committed to the deal. Observers are also monitoring how recent reviews of the pact by the US and UK governments might influence the project's delivery timeline and final cost.
Why this matters
As Australia's largest-ever defense project, the Aukus deal faces growing scrutiny over its massive cost and the long-term geopolitical implications for the Indo-Pacific region.
Reader context
This story belongs to Northstar Herald's International Relations and Diplomacy coverage, with related entities including Aukus, Australia, Submarines, Peter Garrett. The report is based on BBC World News source material.
Related coverage
Why it matters
As Australia's largest-ever defense project, the Aukus deal faces growing scrutiny over its massive cost and the long-term geopolitical implications for the Indo-Pacific region.
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