Quakers Australia recently lodged a submission to the independent public inquiry* into AUKUS. The submission is offered from a commitment to policies that prevent war and build a culture of peace.
From this perspective, Quakers contend that AUKUS raises serious concerns for Australia’s democracy, sovereignty, regional relationships and long-term security. Rather than strengthening peace, AUKUS ties Australia more closely to war-fighting preparations, expands military options that fuel an arms race, and diverts attention from alternative approaches grounded in diplomacy, aid and development, conflict resolution, and shared responsibility for challenges such as climate change, nuclear disarmament and reducing tensions among nations.
Quakers are concerned that the formation of AUKUS lacked transparency and meaningful parliamentary scrutiny, undermining confidence in democratic practice. We are also concerned that objections and anxieties raised by Pacific neighbours have been insufficiently heard, despite Australia’s stated commitment to Pacific-led regional priorities and the Strategy for the Blue Pacific.
This submission also highlights the likely impacts of AUKUS on First Nations communities, particularly in relation to nuclear waste from nuclear-powered submarines, and the need for government to listen carefully to Indigenous voices and address their concerns. It includes the voices of young people who speak powerfully about the consequences of current global trends towards conflict and war, and about the need to invest instead in human security, education, health, welfare and environmental care.
Quakers therefore ask the Inquiry to consider the significant concerns raised about AUKUS and to urge the government to move away from this path. Australia can do much more to enhance cooperation and build peace through genuine consultation with its people, its neighbours and allies, and through stronger support for the United Nations as part of the global effort to reverse the trend towards destruction.
*The independent public inquiry into AUKUS is an unofficial, crowd-funded community investigation led by lead commissioner Peter Garrett and coordinated by the Australian Peace and Security Forum (APSF).