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Public Inquiry into AUKUS recommends recalibrating Australia’s relationship with the US

November 5, 2026, https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/public-inquiry-into-aukus-recommends-recalibrating-australias-relationship-with-the-us/

The four-month AUKUS public inquiry has recommended a recalibration of Australia’s relationships with the United States and China, including the cancellation of nuclear-powered submarines.

The launch of the commissioners’ final report, Surrendering Australia – The AUKUS Deception, coincided with US mid-term elections that significantly reshaped the American political landscape.

“Yesterday, the people of the US recalibrated their relationship with the US government, rejecting the policies of President Trump.  Now is the perfect time for Australia to do the same,” said Leanne Minshull, co-CEO of The Australia Institute and one of five public inquiry commissioners.

Recent polling conducted on behalf of The Australia Institute found just 16% of Australian voters now consider the US to be a ‘close friend’ of Australia.

The AUKUS deal is sending hundreds of billions of dollars overseas but it also has a clear way out, the first step being to give the US and UK one year’s notice of withdrawal.

“In a cost-of-living crisis, redirecting hundreds of billions of dollars allocated to AUKUS would not just boost our national security but our economic security as well.”

The full Commissioners’ Report can be found here

November 10, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, politics international