An independent public inquiry led by critics of the Aukus pact has called the A$368bn submarine deal “the worst, riskiest and most costly defence decision ever made by an Australian government.”
The inquiry, led by former Labor MP and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett and former defence chief Adm. Chris Barrie, recommended the deal’s immediate termination, the suspension of plans for new bases and a royal commission into the agreement signed by the former Morrison government.
Its report, “Surrendering Australia: the Aukus Deception,” drew on more than 1,000 submissions and was downloaded nearly 15,000 times in its first hour, the Guardian reported.
“Since coming to power, Labor has failed to conduct a thorough review of this most significant of defence agreements,” Garrett told the National Press Club.
Under Aukus, Australia plans to buy US Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines before building a new class with Britain.
Sources: The Guardian
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