A former Australian defence minister has taken the unusual step of launching a crowd-funded inquiry into the Aukus submarine deal, questioning what she calls a 'blank cheque to nuclear submarines' that could drain resources from everyday Australians. The move comes as union leaders and cost-of-living campaigners warn that the multibillion-dollar pact is being pushed through without proper scrutiny.
Sarah Jenkins, Economy & Labour Reporter: The former minister, who oversaw defence portfolios under a previous government, argues that the Aukus agreement is not just a strategic misstep but a risk to household budgets. She points to the staggering cost estimates forcing the government to choose between nuclear-powered submarines and much-needed investment in housing, health, and energy transition. 'Every dollar spent on these boats is a dollar not spent on fixing the cost-of-living crisis,' she told a rally last night.
The crowd-funded inquiry aims to gather evidence from economists, union representatives, and naval experts. Initial donations have already topped 200,000 Australian dollars, a sign of public concern. The inquiry is expected to examine whether the submarine deal will inflate national debt, crowd out public spending, or worsen regional inequality in a country where mining booms have already widened the gap between city and bush.
Union leaders are watching closely. The Australian Workers' Union, representing manufacturing and metal trades, has expressed caution. Its national secretary warned that while the deal promises jobs in shipbuilding, the contracts could be structured to favour foreign suppliers, leaving Australian workers with fewer rights and lower wages. 'We've seen this before,' he said. 'Big defence deals that promise the earth but deliver casualised labour and underfunded local industries.'
The inquiry's launch also highlights a growing distrust in Westminster-style politics. With a general election looming, both major parties have backed Aukus, leaving little room for dissent. The former minister's crowd-funded approach bypasses official parliamentary committees, which she claims are toothless. 'The government pushed this through at breakneck speed,' she said. 'We need a real inquiry, one that listens to workers and communities, not just lobbyists.'
But the government has hit back, calling the inquiry a 'stunt' that risks undermining national security. Defence officials insist the submarines are essential for deterrence in a volatile region. Cost projections are vague, but independent estimates suggest the total bill could exceed 350 billion Australian dollars over thirty years. By comparison, Australia's entire national health budget for 2024 is around 130 billion dollars annually.
For ordinary Australians, the debate boils down to one question: can they afford both a nuclear navy and a decent standard of living? Rents are soaring, grocery prices are up, and wages have not kept pace. A recent union-backed survey found that nearly two-thirds of voters want the submarine spending paused until a full cost-benefit analysis is done. That is exactly what the crowd-funded inquiry hopes to provide.
As the donations keep pouring in, the former minister is planning a series of town hall meetings in the industrial heartlands of Newcastle and Wollongong, where shipbuilding once meant secure, well-paid jobs. The inquiry's findings are due in six months, just as the election campaign heats up. In the meantime, the real economy waits.
