GARETH EVANS CALLS AUKUS ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S WORST POLICY DECISIONS

Former Australian foreign affairs minister Gareth Evans has told an independent public inquiry that AUKUS ranks among the worst defence and foreign policy decisions ever made by an Australian government. Evans gave evidence to the inquiry into the $368 billion nuclear submarine agreement between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. He argued that the United States is permitting the arrangement primarily to neutralise Chinese nuclear threats to the American mainland. Evans described the belief that the US would defend Australia in the event of an existential attack as a "ludicrous delusion", saying Washington would only act militarily if its own assets on Australian soil were threatened.

Evans served as foreign affairs minister from 1988 to 1996 and held cabinet positions under both the Hawke and Keating governments. He told the Melbourne hearing that delivery of three Virginia-class submarines from the US beginning in 2032 is unlikely, citing construction delays and shortages within the American fleet. He further warned that the five SSN-AUKUS attack submarines to be jointly built by the UK and Australia would be extremely difficult to deliver on schedule. Evans described the UK's defence-industrial base as under "extraordinary stress", with submarine construction schedules tightening and costs rising, despite Australia committing $4.5 billion over ten years to boost production.

Evans characterised the government's projected cost for the overall AUKUS deal as "wholly speculative". He said the second phase of the programme — centred on the SSN-AUKUS vessels — requires even greater "heroic levels of optimism" than the American submarine component. The independent public inquiry continues to gather evidence on the agreement's strategic and financial foundations. Australia's existing commitment to the deal means any reassessment would carry significant diplomatic consequences with both Washington and London.