AUKUS Pillar 1 should be immediately scrapped - Australia deserves a Royal Commission into the AUKUS deception

The Public Inquiry into AUKUS

MEDIA ALERT

Wednesday 4 November 2026 

AUKUS Pillar 1 should be immediately scrapped

Australia deserves a Royal Commission into the AUKUS deception

The most comprehensive examination of the AUKUS submarine deal to date is recommending it be immediately scrapped and a Plan B cost effective alternative implemented immediately to ensure a capable submarine service.  A Royal Commission into how the disastrous defence pact was conceived and allowed to continue for as long as it has, is also required.

In an exhaustive report released publicly this afternoon, the independent, crowdfunded Public Inquiry into AUKUS has found that the security partnership will not succeed in any of its stated aims and constitutes a gross waste of public monies – up to half a trillion dollars if nuclear waste management costs are included - that compromise our national security and sovereignty.

The inquiry report included 17 recommendations, including that Australia urgently develop a comprehensive National Security Strategy, suspend plans for a US naval base near Perth, cease seconding RAN submariners on US submarines and that an urgent Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) audit of the AUKUS program be undertaken and the results made public.

Lead Commissioner Peter Garrett said today that AUKUS represented an absurd cost for submarines of highly contested utility that may well never arrive.

“After carefully considering all the material presented to us, we conclude that AUKUS is the worst, most costly and riskiest defence decision ever made.”

“AUKUS compromises our national security, erodes our sovereignty and commits us to any future conflict in support of US war plans.  AUKUS definitely does NOT keep us safe.”

A substantial number of Australians - including a former Prime Minister, five former Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers, senior academics and recognised military experts, unions, community groups and citizens - presented to the Inquiry across 10 day-long hearings in 8 cities around Australia since it launched in June.

Nearly 10,000 people watched the proceedings, either attending in person or via the live-stream.  Over 1,000 written submissions were received.  $220,000 was raised by crowdfunding, from individual donors and from unions and civil society organisations, in order to hold the inquiry.

AUKUS Public Inquiry media contacts:  Phil Davey 0414 867 188 or Julie Macken 0400 925 217. 

Report available at aukuspublicinquiry.com.au