Debate over the AUKUS submarine deal is coming to the Illawarra.
An independent Public Inquiry examining Australia’s plan to acquire nuclear powered submarines gets underway in New South Wales next week, with hearings to be held in Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong.
Inquiry lead commissioner Peter Garrett is urging locals to hear evidence and have their say on the multi billion dollar project.
“Both Port Kembla and Newcastle are in the frame for hosting submarine bases for AUKUS,” Garrett said.
“As we heard from former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds at the Perth hearings, this will likely make these great cities future military targets.”
The Wollongong hearing will take place at the Bluescope Gallery on Wednesday 12 August from 9am-3pm.
The Terms of Reference for the Public Inquiry into AUKUS can be found HERE, with a livestream of proceedings available HERE.
The probe’s already received more than 500 submissions, with previous hearings held in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
