Peter Garrett to head independent inquiry into the Aukus submarine pact

Exclusive: Former Labor minister will lead the community-based investigation and report in October

• Peter Garrett on why Australians deserve the truth about Aukus – Full Story podcast

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Former environment minister Peter Garrett will lead an independent inquiry into the Aukus defence pact, launched by a group of Labor veterans and public figures concerned proper scrutiny has never been applied to the $368bn defence plan.

Garrett, the Midnight Oil frontman and longtime environmental campaigner, will be the lead commissioner on the five-month community-based investigation, being launched on Tuesday.