Garrett warns ALP forfeits trust by sidestepping Aukus debate
Peter Garrett argues the upcoming national conference in Adelaide will not accommodate meaningful discussion on the nuclear deal, citing cost blowouts, deployment mathematics, and a lack of government participation in the public inquiry.
Former Labor environment minister Peter Garrett has urged the Australian Labor Party to confront the $368 billion Aukus pact, arguing that the party is failing to interrogate the nuclear submarine deal despite substantial internal and external reservations. Garrett, who leads an independent, publicly funded Aukus public inquiry, stated that the upcoming ALP national conference in Adelaide is unlikely to accommodate any meaningful debate on the issue, a move he describes as a forfeiture of public trust.
The inquiry, which Garrett describes as transparent and open to all views, was established to examine the scope and rationale behind the largest single defence expenditure in Australian history. Garrett noted that neither the federal parliament nor the major political parties have chosen to formally inquire into or substantively debate the merits of the deal since its announcement in 2021 by former prime minister Scott Morrison, then UK prime minister Boris Johnson, and US president Joe Biden.
Significant concerns regarding the financial and operational viability of the pact have emerged during the inquiry. The current cost estimate of $368 billion does not include infrastructure for the safe disposal of medium- and high-level radioactive waste, including weapons-grade uranium associated with decommissioning. Additionally, experts have questioned whether Australia’s commitment of nearly $10 billion to subsidise US and UK naval shipyards will actually result in the delivery of submarines, given current build rates and chronic difficulties in UK naval construction.
Naval expert Peter Briggs has argued that eight submarines are mathematically insufficient to maintain a two-ocean presence due to a standard 1:3 deployment ratio, where one vessel is at sea while two undergo maintenance. Garrett highlighted that the fundamental question of whether the submarines will be fit for purpose remains unresolved, alongside concerns about their suitability for patrolling Australia’s shallow northern waters and their impact on regional relationships.
The inquiry has also documented deep anger from First Nations communities and residents in suburbs close to future Aukus activity, citing a lack of prior notice or meaningful consultation. Despite an open invitation for the government and relevant agencies to submit evidence or appear before the inquiry, no submissions have been forthcoming. Garrett urged the party to engage in robust debate to reclaim trust, noting that while former Coalition defence minister Linda Reynolds has acknowledged the Stirling submarine base could become a nuclear target, the ALP remains silent on the broader implications.