Peter Garrett on Aukus, politics and the fight for “the soul of the country”
6/14/202617 min
Aukus is the most expensive defence project in Australia’s history; a project, that at its heart has the plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines through the United States and the United Kingdom.
But the doubts around it are growing: over the cost, over whether Australia will get the submarines it’s been promised, and over what the deal means for our sovereignty.
Now, a public inquiry, in lieu of parliamentary debate, led by former Labor minister Peter Garrett is putting Aukus under scrutiny.
Today, Peter Garrett on why he believes Australians deserve answers, and whether it’s too late to walk away.
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Guest: Lead commissioner of the Aukus Inquiry, Peter Garrett
Photo: AAP Image/Con Chronis
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsPeter Garrett· Guest0:00
[gentle music] We are skeptical about AUKUS, and I think any fair-minded person who looked at it, uh, may take that view as well. Uh, but we're absolutely clear that it is a genuine public inquiry.
Daniel James· Host0:13
AUKUS is the most expensive defense project in Australia's history, a project that at its heart has the plan to acquire nuclear submarines through the United States and the United Kingdom. But the doubts around it are growing: over the cost, over whether Australia will get the submarines it's been promised, and over what the deal means for our sovereignty.
Peter Garrett· Guest0:36
It's almost at the heart of, of AUKUS, is, is AUKUS something which brings us into, uh, the US's potential war fighting plans or otherwise?
Daniel James· Host0:48
Mm.
Peter Garrett· Guest0:48
And if so, is that something that Australians agree with?
Daniel James· Host0:51
Now, a public inquiry in lieu of parliamentary debate led by former Labor minister Peter Garrett is putting AUKUS under scrutiny. I'm Daniel James, and you're listening to 7:00 AM. Today, Peter Garrett on why he believes Australians deserve answers and whether it's too late to walk away. It's Monday, June 15. Peter Garrett, thanks for joining us.