Peter Garrett, former Labor environment minister, has urged the party to allow meaningful debate on the Aukus nuclear submarine pact at its upcoming national conference in Adelaide. Despite substantial reservations, the deal—worth an estimated $368 billion—has not been formally examined by parliament or major parties.
Background of the Aukus Pact
In 2021, leaders of Australia, the UK, and the US announced a plan to co-design and build eight nuclear-powered submarines for Australia. The pact was championed by then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who had canceled a previous $90 billion French submarine contract, incurring a $5 billion cancellation fee. The incoming Albanese Labor government accepted the deal, which was made in secret.
Garrett's Public Inquiry
Garrett leads an independent, publicly funded inquiry into Aukus, aiming to help Australians understand the scope and rationale of the largest defence expenditure in the country's history. He notes that while Labor branches and senior figures like Paul Keating and Gareth Evans have expressed concerns, the party conference is unlikely to host substantive debate.
“This is a great pity,” Garrett writes. “Labor would be forfeiting the opportunity to reclaim public trust at a time when support for the two major parties is fragile.”
Key Concerns Raised
Halfway through the inquiry, several issues have emerged:
- Australia will commit nearly $10 billion to subsidise US and UK naval shipyards to eventually receive submarines. Experts question whether this will accelerate delivery given current build rates.
- The UK, facing chronic naval construction difficulties, is unlikely to build a new Aukus submarine on time or budget.
- The $368 billion cost does not include infrastructure for disposing of radioactive waste, including weapons-grade uranium from decommissioned submarines.
- Naval expert Peter Briggs states that eight submarines are “mathematically insufficient to maintain a two-ocean presence” due to a 1:3 deployment ratio.
Strategic and Regional Implications
Former defence minister Linda Reynolds admitted that the Stirling submarine base in Western Australia—where US nuclear submarines will rotate from 2027—would become a nuclear target. Gareth Evans told the inquiry that Aukus would make Australia's submarines an extension of the US fleet.
Experts have raised questions about the impact on regional relationships, adherence to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and the submarines' suitability for patrolling Australia's shallow northern waters.
Lack of Consultation
First Nations communities and residents near future Aukus sites have expressed anger at the absence of prior notice or meaningful consultation. Despite an open invitation, the government and relevant agencies have not submitted to or appeared at the inquiry.
Garrett concludes that all questions about Aukus deserve full exploration amid rising cost-of-living pressures, global upheaval, and climate risks. “If governments won’t attend diligently to the task, then this public inquiry will,” he says.
