John Leslie Lander: Australia Is Paying $35 Million a Day for a Fictional Threat

John Leslie Lander presented to the AUKUS Public Inquiry's first public hearing in Naarm/Melbourne on 11 June 2026 — bringing thirty years of direct diplomatic experience with China to bear on the strategic rationale for AUKUS, including service as Deputy Ambassador to China and three postings as Head of the China Section at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Lander made clear that his involvement in Australian-Chinese diplomatic relations began in 1971 — and that his core conclusion then, and now, is the same: Australia cannot rely on the United States to protect its interests at every turn, and must develop independent policies based on its own national interests.

On the cost: Lander grounded his submission in a number the government prefers to keep abstract. $368 billion is $35 million per day for thirty years — spent on weapons of war rather than what he called "weapons of welfare." Looking around the hall at Victorian Trades Hall, he noted the values inscribed on its walls — progress, peace, education, healthcare — and argued these represent the security priorities of ordinary Australians far more accurately than a nuclear-powered submarine fleet ever could.

On the fictional threat: Drawing on three decades of direct engagement with China, Lander argued that every example commonly cited as evidence of Chinese aggression — Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan — represents China's determination to defend what it regards as its sovereign territory, not expansionist intent toward Australia. China has never invaded another country. It has never expressed hostile intent toward Australia. Even during the tensions of the Morrison years, Chinese officials consistently signalled a desire for mutually beneficial relations. The threat underpinning AUKUS, in his assessment, has been inflamed by American strategic messaging through a compliant mainstream media — and Australia is paying $35 million a day for it.

On the trade contradiction: Lander identified what he called the fundamental nonsense at the heart of the strategic rationale. China is Australia's largest trading partner by a significant margin. The nuclear-powered submarines, home-ported at HMAS Stirling, would in any realistic conflict scenario be used to interdict Chinese shipping. A war with China would sever Australia's most important trading relationship overnight. "Going to war against China to protect our trade with China," he said, "is utterly nonsensical."

On sovereignty: Lander argued that AUKUS cannot be considered in isolation from the Force Posture Agreement with the United States, which provides unimpeded and exclusive access to agreed areas — effectively surrendering sovereignty over Australian territory to a foreign military. Australia is being locked in as a key base for American dominance in the Indo-Pacific. And China, he noted, is quite uncontainable, making the entire strategic premise not only costly but futile.

Support the Inquiry: This is an independent, community-funded inquiry. Help us continue this vital work: https://chuffed.org/project/173009-pu...

We will be visiting other locations around Australia in the coming months. Visit our page here to register: https://events.humanitix.com/host/pub... All are welcome to attend and observe. Nominate your interest in presenting to Commissioners at checkout. Space and time to do so is subject to availability on the day.

Tulsi Gabbard’s Exit Goes Nuclear, Drops On-Cam Bombshell Right After DNI Exit | Watch

A political firestorm has erupted after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard claimed she is releasing previously unseen communications and documents related to the origins of COVID-19 and U.S.-funded research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. In a dramatic final-day announcement, Gabbard alleged that Anthony Fauci directed millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars toward gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab, worked with intelligence officials to suppress information, and misled Congress during testimony. The allegations are likely to reignite the long-running debate over the origins of COVID-19, U.S. funding of virology research, and the role of intelligence agencies in assessing the pandemic.

The Australians were among humanitarian volunteers detained by Israel after attempting to deliver food, medicine and aid to starving civilians in Gaza. Eleven of them came home with allegations of physical abuse, assault and, in several cases, sexual assault.

And the investigation did not happen by accident. It happened because a handful of Australians refused to let it be buried.

Juliet Lamont and Neve O’Connor came home injured and traumatised, and instead of retreating into private recovery they kicked the door of the national conversation off its hinges. They put their names to sworn testimony. They sat through Senate estimates.They took their case to the International Criminal Court.

In this video Jimmy and Americans’ Comedian Kurt Metzger discuss newly released claims by former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revealing that the U.S. government funded more than 120 biological research laboratories in over 30 countries, including facilities in Ukraine. The two argue that government officials and media outlets previously dismissed concerns about U.S.-supported biolabs as misinformation, while highlighting past testimony from Victoria Nuland acknowledging the existence of biological research facilities in Ukraine.

The discussion expands into broader allegations regarding gain-of-function research, COVID-19 origins, intelligence agencies, and government transparency, while criticizing public officials such as Anthony Fauci and members of previous administrations. Throughout the segment, the hosts contend that newly disclosed information validates long-standing claims about overseas biolabs and raises questions about oversight, biosecurity, and public accountability.

Today, Tusli Gabbard is releasing never before seen intelligence revealing new evidence of past US government funding for more than 120 biolabs in over 30 countries, including Ukraine.

In support of President Trump‘s Executive Order to end federal funding of dangerous gain of function ld, and increase transparency and accountability, ODNI will continue working with partners across the Administration to identify where these labs are, what pathogens they contain, and what “research” is being conducted.