MEDIA ALERT
Thursday 5 November 2026
AUKUS Inquiry report downloaded 83,000 times in 24 hours Australia deserves a Royal Commission into the AUKUS deception
Australians are clearly thirsting for information about the AUKUS submarine deal, with the final report of the Public Inquiry into AUKUS being downloaded a remarkable 83,000 in the 24 hours since its release at the National Press Club yesterday in Canberra.
The comprehensive examination of the AUKUS submarine deal recommended it be immediately scrapped and a Plan B cost effective alternative implemented immediately to ensure a capable submarine service. A Royal Commission into how the disastrous defence pact was conceived and allowed to continue for as long as it has, was also recommended.
AUKUS Public Inquiry Lead Commissioner Peter Garrett said today that the extraordinary numbers of Australians reading the report since its release yesterday demonstrated how unsustainable the Government strategy of not providing information on AUKUS to the public was.
“Australians clearly want to understand the scope and implications of the AUKUS deal. They have legitimate concerns about things like where and how the weapons grade nuclear waste from these submarines will be stored and civil defence plans in cities hosting nuclear submarines under AUKUS long term.
“Remaining mute on these matters is increasingly unviable for the Government, given this level of public interest.”
The inquiry report included 17 recommendations, including that Australia urgently develop a comprehensive National Security Strategy, suspend plans for a US naval base near Perth, cease seconding RAN submariners on US submarines and that an urgent Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) audit of the AUKUS program be undertaken and the results made public.
A substantial number of Australians - including a former Prime Minister, five former Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers, senior academics and recognised military experts, unions, community groups and citizens - presented to the Inquiry across 10 day-long hearings in 8 cities around Australia since it launched in June.
Nearly 10,000 people watched the proceedings, either attending in person or via the live-stream. Over 1,000 written submissions were received. $220,000 was raised by crowdfunding, from individual donors and from unions and civil society organisations, in order to hold the inquiry.
AUKUS Public Inquiry media contacts: Phil Davey 0414 867 188 or Julie Macken 0400 925 217. Report available at aukuspublicinquiry.com
