MEDIA ALERT – advance notice
Thursday 6 August 2026
Public Inquiry into AUKUS hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong from Monday next week
Prominent Australians with informed insights into the AUKUS submarine deal will be presenting next week for the NSW hearings of the crowdfunded, independent Public Inquiry into AUKUS.
Inquiry Commissioners Peter Garrett, Carmen Lawrence, Admiral (retd) Chris Barrie, Karina Lester and Leanne Minshull will do doorstops before proceedings commence in all three cities and are available for media interview next week.
Hearings details;
SYDNEY hearing
Monday 10 August 9:30-5:30
NSW Parliament House Macquarie Street Sydney
NEWCASTLE hearing
Tuesday 11 August 9:30-5:30
Newcastle City Hall Hunter Room 290 King Street Newcastle
WOLLONGONG hearing
Wednesday 12 August 9am-3pm
The Bluescope Gallery level 2, Wollongong
Inquiry lead Commissioner Peter Garrett said today that the Australian public should have the opportunity to put their point of view on the AUKUS deal. AUKUS is the most expensive Defence acquisition ever which will impact generations to come, and yet the commitment to spend nearly $400 billion on eight nuclear powered submarines has failed to receive any serious parliamentary scrutiny.
“Both Wollongong / Port Kembla and Newcastle are in the frame for hosting submarine bases for AUKUS. As we heard from former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds at the Perth hearings, this will likely make these great cities future military targets. We encourage citizens in all three cities to register to attend the hearings and hear the evidence for themselves.”
The Public Inquiry into AUKUS is taking submissions from the public and subject matter experts and holding public hearings in most capital cities. To date over 500 written submissions have been received, with highly successful hearings already in Melbourne, Fremantle and Adelaide.
The Terms of Reference for the Public Inquiry into AUKUS can be found here and the website here.
Livestream of proceeding here: https://www.youtube.com/@PublicInquiryintoAUKUS
AUKUS Public Inquiry media contacts: Phil Davey 0414 867 188 Julie Macken 0400 925 217.