Crossbench MPs Demand Parliamentary Inquiry Into AUKUS Following US Review

Photo by Darren Halstead on Unsplash

Crossbench members of parliament have written to Defence Minister Richard Marles demanding an urgent parliamentary inquiry into the AUKUS defense pact, following the United States' announcement of a snap review into the trilateral agreement.

The call for scrutiny comes as Australia faces its largest ever defense commitment worth at least $386 billion for nuclear submarines under the AUKUS partnership with the United States and United Kingdom.

Independent MP Monique Ryan, who represents Kooyong, confirmed Friday that House of Representatives and Senate crossbench members had formally requested the parliamentary inquiry in a letter to Marles.

"What we want, what independents have been asking for and what many of our constituents have been asking us to secure is greater transparency about the government's arrangements over AUKUS with the US and the UK and some greater surety about the deliverability of the things that we've committed to," Ryan said.

The demand follows the Pentagon's announcement of a comprehensive AUKUS review, raising questions about the future of Australia's submarine acquisition program scheduled to deliver Virginia-class nuclear submarines in the 2030s.

Ryan emphasized that the parliamentary inquiry was not intended to abandon AUKUS but to ensure proper oversight of the massive defense investment.

"Not at all, Patricia. I think all Australians are really concerned about our defence capacity at what is, let's face it, a time of great geopolitical instability," Ryan said when asked if the call represented opposition to AUKUS.

The crossbench criticism centers on the lack of parliamentary scrutiny since former Prime Minister Scott Morrison committed Australia to the AUKUS partnership in September 2021.

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