Antinuclear

Submission to AUKUS Public Inquiry- Deborah Torrens, Sovereign Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr Woman.

100 Deborah Torrens,

“…….. I make this submission as an Australian citizen and as a First Nations woman who
believes decisions of national significance should be subject to genuine public
scrutiny, informed debate, and meaningful consultation.

The AUKUS agreement represents one of the largest and most consequential
commitments in Australia’s modern history. It will affect future generations
economically, strategically, politically, and socially. For that reason, Australians
deserve a thorough examination of the costs, risks, benefits, and alternatives
associated with the agreement.

Democratic Accountability and Public Scrutiny
One of the most concerning aspects of AUKUS is the limited public scrutiny that
accompanied its announcement and implementation.

Australians are being asked to support a commitment that extends across multiple
decades and involves expenditure measured in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Yet many Australians remain unaware of the full details, obligations, risks, and
strategic implications of the arrangement.

Sovereignty and Strategic Independence

A central question raised by AUKUS is whether it strengthens or weakens
Australia’s sovereign decision-making……………….

The more dependent Australia becomes upon foreign governments for essential
defence capabilities, the more important it becomes to examine the long-term
implications for national independence.

Cost and Opportunity Cost…………………………..

A nation with strong communities, strong infrastructure, secure food systems,
reliable energy systems, and effective healthcare is inherently more resilient than
one that focuses exclusively upon military solutions.

The inquiry should carefully examine whether alternative investments could
provide greater long-term benefits for Australia’s security and wellbeing.

Alternatives to AUKUS………………………….

The inquiry should consider whether alternatives were adequately assessed before
Australia committed itself to the current path.

First Nations Participation

As a First Nations woman, I am concerned that governments, frequently claim
consultation with Indigenous peoples by consulting organisations and corporations
while overlooking many Indigenous individuals, families, Elders, and traditional
community members.

Not all Indigenous people belong to corporations, prescribed bodies corporate,
land councils, or government-funded representative organisations.

Many Indigenous people living in towns, cities, regional communities, and on
Country have perspectives that are never heard in formal consultation processes.

Major national decisions should not assume that organisations speak for all
Indigenous peoples……………………………………………………..

September 20, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized