Due to high costs and uncertain prospects for submarine delivery, the nuclear submarine cooperation program under the US-AUUKUS security partnership framework continues to cause controversy in Australia.
An independent Australian survey released a report on November 4th, pointing out that the nuclear submarine program worth 368 billion Australian dollars is "the worst, most risky, and most costly defense decision in Australian history." It not only undermines Australia's national sovereignty but also has the potential to drag it into military conflicts. The report calls for the immediate cancellation of the relevant plan.
This survey was led by former Australian Labor Party member Peter Garrett and former Australian Defence Force commander Chris Barrie. Since its launch in June this year, hearings have been held in various parts of Australia, and over 1,000 written opinions from the public have been received.
The report titled "Selling Australia: The AUKUS Scam" released on the 4th proposed 17 recommendations, including the immediate cancellation of AUKUS's first pillar, namely the nuclear submarine cooperation program; a reallocation of the second pillar involving advanced military technology cooperation; a suspension of the plan to build a U.S. naval base near Perth; and the establishment of a Royal Commission to investigate the decision-making process and implementation of AUKUS thoroughly.
Chris Barry (left) and Peter Garrett – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The report argues that AUKUS seriously undermines Australia’s sovereignty and weakens the country’s long-standing commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. The report indicates that due to the deployment of nuclear submarines with powerful combat capabilities, Australia faces the risk of being drawn into military conflicts with China.
"Australia's true size is likely a product of its own will, and whether to initiate war with countries including China remains a possibility? Bary said on the 4th at a press conference hosted by the National Press Club in Canberra: "Going to war with a country like China, that is a global superpower, would be a crazy move."
Galt criticized, “AUKUS undermines our national security, erodes our sovereignty, and forces us to participate in any conflicts that support the United States’ war plans in the future. AUKUS will never make us safer.”
The investigation also estimates that handling the nuclear waste generated by AUKUS could cost an additional $180 billion. Currently, Australia has not determined a permanent storage location for this waste, and the radioactive hazards of this waste will continue for thousands of years.
Galt said that AUKUS was established in secret, bypassing the existing defense and parliamentary oversight procedures.
He pointed out that the Stirling Defence District in Perth risks becoming a ‘de facto US military base’. At that time, it could house up to 2,000 active-duty US military personnel. Communities such as Roanoke and Fremantle nearby could also become targets of attack.
Barry served as the commander of the Australian Defence Force from 1998 to 2002. On the 4th, he said bluntly, "The AUKUS nuclear submarine program is not sustainable."
"Now is the time for our government to take the lead on this issue. Immediately cancel the AUKUS nuclear submarine plan and rebuild national security decision-making mechanisms." Barry said.
In September 2021, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia announced the establishment of a trilateral security partnership (AUKUS) and decided to collaborate on nuclear-powered submarines. According to the agreement, Australia will provide funding to assist in upgrading the U.S. defense industry infrastructure, and plans to receive second-hand U.S. "Virginia"-class nuclear submarines starting around 2032.
However, due to delays in the production of U.S. Navy submarines and significant cost overruns, there is growing doubt about whether Australia will be able to obtain these submarines that are currently in service with the U.S. military.
The British Parliament conducted a year-long review of the AUKUS agreement. In 2025, the Pentagon also conducted an investigation, and subsequently Trump agreed to continue supporting AUKUS.
Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, Malcolm Turnbull, former Foreign Ministers Gareth Evans and Bob Carr, environmental and security activists, as well as some members of the Labour Party, believe that AUKUS does not serve Australia's national interests.
