MEDIA ALERT
Thursday 16 July 2026
Public Inquiry into AUKUS Adelaide hearings today!
Christopher Pyne, Rex Patrick giving evidence, Peter Garrett doorstop this morning
Prominent South Australians will join Peter Garrett and other AUKUS Inquiry Commissioners today in Adelaide, for the South Australian hearings of the crowdfunded, independent Public Inquiry into AUKUS.
A range of speakers are confirmed to give evidence this morning, including former federal Defence Minister Christopher Pyne, former Senator and former submariner Rex Patrick and former Defence Department Analyst Andrew Gazcol, who was the Principal Research Officer for the Senate Economic References Committees’ inquiry into Australia’s sovereign naval shipbuilding capability.
The afternoon session will include evidence from other experts and organisations, including representatives from Port Adelaide Community Opposing AUKUS (PACOA), Friends of the Earth and the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN), amongst many others.
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 taking place in Melbourne and Fremantle. The Sydney and further east coast hearings will take place mid next month.
WHAT: The SA hearing of the Public Inquiry into AUKUS
WHERE: Conservation Council Event Theatre, 55 Exchange Place Adelaide
WHEN: Today Thursday 16 July 10am-6PM
NOTE: Doorstop interview opportunity with Peter Garrett and AUKUS Commissioners 9:45am this morning, before proceedings commence.
WHY: There has never been a more critical time to interrogate the $368 billion deal that is known as AUKUS. This nation-wide inquiry is seeking answers to critical questions. The Terms of Reference 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 (in Adelaide today) Julie Macken 0400 925 217 (in Sydney).
