Peter Garrett to head independent inquiry into the Aukus submarine pact
Exclusive: Former Labor minister will lead the community-based investigation and report in October
TL;DR
- Former environment minister Peter Garrett will lead an independent inquiry into the $368bn Aukus defense pact.
- The five-month, community-based investigation aims to scrutinize the pact's feasibility, nuclear waste management, and strategic alignment with Australia's interests.
- The inquiry will hold public hearings and release a final report by October 30th.
- Australia plans to acquire three secondhand US Virginia-class submarines, with the first arriving in 2032, and an Australian-built model expected by 2042.
- A permanent storage site for nuclear waste generated by the submarine fleet has not yet been identified.
- US and UK nuclear-powered submarines will rotate at HMAS Stirling starting in 2027, with an additional east coast base planned.
- The second pillar of Aukus involves collaboration on developing new underwater weapons systems and sensors.