Aukus inquiry urges immediate termination of submarine plan

A public inquiry into the Aukus nuclear submarine agreement has urged that the plan be terminated immediately, calling it “the worst, riskiest and most costly defence decision ever made by an Australian government”.

The inquiry was led by former Labor MP Peter Garrett and former chief of defence Adm Chris Barrie. Its report, titled Surrendering Australia: the Aukus Deception, also recommended that plans for new bases be suspended.

The report recommended a royal commission, a formal inquiry, into the agreement signed by the former Morrison government.

Under the agreement, Australia is due to start receiving secondhand Virginia class nuclear submarines around 2032. The Guardian's coverage refers to a $368bn agreement, while The Age described it as a $500 billion-plus pact.

The inquiry was crowd-funded, according to BBC coverage. It was set to examine whether Australia will receive the submarines and whether the deal will make Australia safer. It was also scheduled to begin in early June 2026, with five commissioners described as eminent Australians directing it.

The inquiry held hearings around the country and received more than 1,000 public submissions before producing its final report.