AUKUS the “worst, most costly and riskiest” Australian defence decision ever

The AUKUS submarine deal should be scrapped and the subject of a Royal Commission, according to the commissioners of the AUKUS Public Inquiry.

On this episode of Follow the Money, former Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Admiral Chris Barrie AO RAN (retd), and Australia Institute co-CEO, Leanne Minshull, join Ebony Bennett to discuss the findings of the recent independent public inquiry into the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 10 November.

Sign the petition calling for a Royal Commission into AUKUS on the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Chris Barrie, former Chief of the Australian Defence Force

Guest: Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

Surrendering Australia: the AUKUS deception, Public Inquiry into AUKUS Commissioners’ Report, Australian Peace and Security Forum (November 2026)

Public Inquiry into AUKUS recommends recalibrating Australia’s relationship with the US, the Australia Institute (November 2026)

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)

Scrapping AUKUS deal would threaten national security by Linda Reynolds, The Australian (November 2026)

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

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