AUKUS Public Inquiry lead commissioner Peter Garrett has hit back at claims that the independent investigation is a mouthpiece for the Greens.
The crowdfunded inquiry, which is investigating the $368 billion nuclear submarine deal's strategic risks, costs, and lack of initial public or parliamentary consultation, arrived in Newcastle on Tuesday.
Like others who have appeared before the inquiry, Hunter-based lawyer and activist Kellie Tranter argued the existing AUKUS arrangement was not in Australia's economic or strategic defence interests.
"...we are told we have to accept a wishy-washy qualified promise about the possible supply of summaries, whereas in fact the practical result of the entire arrangement is to create an excuse for US bases and US controlled ports, purpose-built to serve and sustain, rearm and repair US Virginia-class submarines," she said.
"It secures access to bases and routes for the US and UK to operate against China."
Ms Tranter, said her analysis of AUKUS Treaty documents had revealed that Australia would be short changed in relation to intellectual property benefits.
"Article 11B provides that Australia must secure ownership of any invention employing information provided by the UK or the US, and must transfer and assign to either the US or the UK worldwide rights to the invention without payment, retaining only a perpetual worldwide license to use or grant to an improved customer or sub-license," she said.
"What that means is that if Australian scientists or engineers develop any advances under AUKUS in any of the relevant technologies, we have to sign that over for free."
Speaking on ABC Radio on Monday, Shortland MP and Defence Industries Minister Pat Conroy claimed the inquiry was being run by the leftist Australia Institute think tank and was a mouthpiece for the Greens.
"Let's not pretend this is some neutral independent inquiry," he told ABC Radio on Monday.
"It's been rigged from the start. And that's fine. But let's be honest about that."
The inquiry is being coordinated by the Australian Peace and Security Forum.
Its commissioners are Peter Garrett, former Western Australian premier Carmen Lawrence, former chief of the Australian Defence Force Chris Barrie, co-chief executive of the Australia Institute Leanne Minshull and Yankunytjatjara Anangu woman Karina Lester.
"To suggest that is in some way a stalking horse for another political party-that's pretty disappointing," Mr Garrett said.
"On the question of what the inquiry is trying to do - of course, we bring a skeptical-eyed caucus. Who wouldn't, when you look at the facts for a moment?
"But we have a terms of reference, and we want to hear from everybody, pro and anti, and those who still haven't had enough information to make up their mind."
Among those who have already appeared before the inquiry are former Coalition defence ministers Linda Reynolds and Chris Pyne, former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and former NSW premier and foreign affairs minister Bob Carr.
Former Labor senator Doug Cameron also criticised Mr Conroy's remarks.
In addition to ordinary Australians who had supported the crowdfunding initiative, Mr Cameron said unions including Maritime Union of Australia, the Teachers Federation, the National Tertiary Education Union and the Australian Services Union had provided financial support.
"These people represent ordinary working people who are concerned about what we are not being told about AUKUS," Mr Cameron said.
"For Pat Conroy to say that the people that are sitting here trying to establish the facts for ordinary working people around the country, do not care about Australia's security is ridiculously stupid, in my view."
