A public inquiry into the AUKUS security pact has heard warnings from military and policy experts that the agreement makes Australia more likely to be attacked, potentially with nuclear weapons, and increases the risk it could be drawn into a war between the United States and China. Former senior officials Michael Keating and Jon Stanford told the crowd-funded inquiry that policies of "integrated deterrence" and "pooled sovereignty" under AUKUS give Washington greater access to Australian military facilities without granting Australia equivalent control, effectively tying the country's defence strategy to the US.

The pair pointed to the build-up of US military infrastructure in Australia, including facilities for US nuclear-powered submarines at the HMAS Stirling base in Western Australia, where around 1,000 US Navy personnel are due to be stationed from next year, as a factor that could make Australia a prime military target. They also noted Australia lacks a formal US defence guarantee, unlike allies such as Japan, the Philippines and South Korea, and cited former French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian's criticism of Australia's 2021 decision to scrap a $90 billion submarine deal with France in favour of AUKUS. The pair urged the government to abandon AUKUS submarines in favour of alternatives such as low-enriched uranium-powered vessels from France or South Korea. The independent inquiry, led by former politician Peter Garrett with backing from the Australia Peace and Security Forum, also heard from former home affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo, who argued Australia should deepen military integration with the US while retaining independent decision-making power over entering conflicts.