The AUKUS Public Inquiry was launched in Parliament House in Canberra on 2 June 2026.
Convened by the Australian Peace and Security Forum, it aims to provide transparent, evidence-based public scrutiny of the $368 billion defense pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The AUKUS pact was co-established by former LNP Prime Minister Scott Morrison in September 2021, along with US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. It was developed in strict secrecy with the goal of contributing to the containment of China by equipping Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines and the sharing of advanced military technologies.
While the federal ALP leadership and successive Labor governments led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have unreservedly endorsed the AUKUS pact since May 2022, opposition to the defence agreement has grown within Labor ranks, as well as among public policy organisations, trade unionists, peace activists and the community more widely.
Furthermore, not only was the AUKUS pact conceived in secret, but there has been a lack of formal parliamentary scrutiny and transparent debate regarding the pact’s estimated $368 billion cost, strategic risks, and impacts on national sovereignty.
Of the three countries party to this deal, Australia, which carries the greatest share of both the cost and the risk, is the only one not to have subjected AUKUS to a parliamentary review.
Given these circumstances, the AUKUS inquiry’s primary objectives are to:
- Assess National Security – Determine if acquiring nuclear-powered attack submarines genuinely makes Australia safer or turns the country into a potential nuclear target.
- Evaluate Regional Impact – Examine how the trilateral pact affects regional peace, stability, and diplomatic relations with key trade partners like China.
- Examine Financial Costs – Scrutinize the accuracy of the estimated $368 billion price tag and assess opportunity costs affecting health, education, housing, and other public sectors.
- Review Sovereignty – Investigate whether the agreement compromises Australian independence or binds the nation too tightly to United States military plans.
- Address Nuclear Safety – Evaluate plans for high-level nuclear waste storage and broader non-proliferation consequences.
So far, the inquiry has held a number of public hearings as listed below:
- Melbourne — Thursday, 11 June 2026 | View Livestream
- Fremantle — Monday, 29 June 2026 | View Livestream
- Adelaide — Thursday, 16 July 2026 | View Livestream
- A dedicated Adelaide First Nations Yarn was also held on 17 July 2026
- Live Q&A: The AUKUS Inquiry is Underway — Monday, 3 August 2026 | View Recording
- Sydney — Monday, 10 August 2026 | View Livestream
- Newcastle — Tuesday, 11 August 2026 | View Livestream
- Wollongong — Wednesday, 12 August 2026 | View Recording.
The Sydney session, held at NSW Parliament House on 10 August 2026, heard from a range of people including:
- Malcolm Turnbull AC (Former Prime Minister)
- Bob Carr (Former NSW Premier and Foreign Minister)
- Maritime Union of Australia (Presented by Warren Smith)
- NSW Teachers Federation (Presented by Natasha Watt and Kelly Marks)
- National Tertiary Education Union (Presented by Dr Lachlan Clohesy)
- Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition (Presented Pip Hinman and Peter Murphy)
- Dr Alex Byrne (Professional librarian and researcher)
- Prof Toby Walsh (Professor of AI, UNSW).
Many other presentations were made during the day’s proceedings, including one by Nick Deane on behalf of the Marrickville Peace Group. A video of his presentation can be viewed here. His written submission can be read here.
Future hearings are listed below:
- Brisbane — Tuesday, 25 August 2026
- Canberra — Wednesday, 2 September 2026 (Day One)
- Canberra — Thursday, 3 September 2026 (Day Two).
The inquiry is scheduled to conclude with the release of its final report by 30 October 2026.
Links
Full video of Sydney hearing (duration: 6 hr 28 min 18 sec)
AUKUS Public Inquiry website
Terms of Reference