Rally for Peace NOT WAR at the Labor Party National Conference, 8.30am – 11. 00am, Friday 18 August, Convention Centre, Corner Glenelg and Merivale Streets, South Brisbane. A large nuclear submarine prop will headline the street theatre and music to demonstrate the depth of community objections to the Labor Government’s decision to continue a dangerous foreign policy decision of the previous Morrison government.
In a media release on 17 July 2023, Annette Brownlie of the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) welcomed the decision by India not to particpate in the 'Talisman Sabre military exercises which were scheduled to be held from 22 July in Queensland's Shoalwater Bay.
The Quad summit scheduled in Sydney on 24 May was cancelled due to the last minute announcement that US President Biden will not be doing a stopover in Australia from the G7 talks in Hiroshima, Japan, 19-22 May. No US replacement for Biden was announced. Instead, the Quad war summit of 4 heads of states and governments – US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese – was moved to the sidelin
On this ANZAC Day we remember all Australians who were killed in war, those who were incarcerated and abused as prisoners of war and those who sustained physical and psychological injuries as a result of war. We remember the many millions of civilian victims of war who have been killed, injured, raped and tortured. We remember the tens of millions of people internally displaced and forced to flee their countries of origin and seek asylum elsewhere.
The consultation is tagging amendments which may: impede or prevent public protest against war activity or contractors involved in production of war materials ; result in greater integration of the ADF with foreign forces (U.S.) ; enable the U.S.
Video of speakers and informed discussion from a large Australian audience of activists re Australia's mounting involvement in US-NATO warmongering and costly and inappropriate weapons purchase. The Stop Aukus movement came out of a coalition of anti-war movements, notably IPAN, and features Australians who have never stopped being involved in our anti-war movement, and who have rich experience and knowledge to offer other Australians whose education, via media or schools, has been lacking.
Melbourne State Library 1 pm Saturday 18 March against AUKUS US $170b nuclear sub purchase and alliance No AUKUS Coalition, Solidarity Melbourne and Melbourne 4 Assange
SUNDAY, 19th March, 5pm, Marrickville Town Hall, Marrickville Rd, Marrickville,NSW. You can join the meeting virtually livestream via the Marrickville Peace Group Facebook. Speakers: Bob Carr, David Shoebridge, Alison Broinowski, Lawrence Wilkerson. IPAN supports this event.
IPAN denounces recent rabid media war propaganda. Call for all people who want peace to mobilise and force the Australian Government off path to war.
Nationwide Campaign Against AUKUS 24 February 2023 Outside MPs' Electorate Offices. Details for different states inside.
Nationwide Campaign Against AUKUS
24 February
Outside MPs Electorate Offices
Details for actions in different states below.
The US is establishing Australia as a proxy in a war against China; Prime Minister Albanese must stand up to the US and say NO to nuclear-capable B-52 bombers stationed on our territory; Australia must stay out of any US plans for a war against China. As revealed by the ABC in an investigative report on 31 October 2022, the United States has been secretly planning to station six, B-52 long range bombers in the NT, each capable of carrying conventional or nuclear payloads.
IPAN calls on the Australian Government to reach out to the United Nations and to Ukraine and Russian leadership and call for an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated settlement of the conflict. Recent statements from Defence Minister Richard Marles echo knee jerk response from then Prime Minister John Howard after 9/11 leading us into the horrific no exit 20-year war in Afghanistan.
Community opposition to the secret deal of AUKUS, dropped on the Australian people one year ago, is evidenced by this petition being tabled today in the Senate by Senator Jordon Steele-John signed by almost 27,000 Australians.
Opposition to AUKUS is also evidenced by the public statement signed by over 1000 people, advertised over the past week in The Saturday Paper and The Weekend Australian.
A ceasefire is critical to avert the possible use of nuclear weapons and an escalation of the war. A ceasefire will enable negotiations for a security solution, to address the needs of all parties. A ceasefire will help provide a pathway to peace for the people of the region
The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) Media Release - For Immediate Release date - 20 August
We, the undersigned, call on the Australian government to terminate the AUKUS agreement with the United States and Britain, and abandon the commitment to buy nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
"Now that you are Prime Minister, we urge you to waste no time in making good on your wish to see Julian Assange’s ordeal come to an end, as the issue is now beyond critical, with his current health status meaning time is of the essence. It is now much too late for legal remedies.
No 68 June, 2022
Please share VOICE with organisational members and on your social media platforms. [Candobetter Editor: This version lacks most illustrations. For a full copy email [email protected]]
NEW GOVERNMENT
Your action can help save Julian Assange. Urge new PM and Foreign Affairs Minister to speak to President Biden at Japan conference
Dear friends of IPAN
We congratulate the people of Australia for voting in a new government comprised of Labor, Greens and Independents demonstrating a real community led demand for quality change in so many areas.
No AUKUS [1] and IPAN Victoria at Palm Sunday rally this Sunday 10 April, 2.00 pm, State Library of Victoria. No AUKUS Information Table at the State Library. Come to our Information Table, say hello, pick up some flyers and banners. AUKUS = WAR = REFUGEES. Peace, Justice, Environment - No AUKUS!.
In solidarity with the people of Ukraine and Russia, a call has gone out to the international peace movement to hold rallies and actions during the week of March 1 – 7, 2022. The Independent and Peaceful Australian Network proposes national rallies are held across Australia on Wednesday 2nd March in solidarity with international peace actions and with the people of Ukraine and Russia in their demands for peace. Please let them know if you are organising any actions earlier or interested in organising a rally/protest action in your state on Wednesday 2 March.
(Politician contact details inside) The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) says, "We need your help: Call the Morrison Government to act now to save Australian citizen and journalist Julian Assange!"
On December 10 court the UK court upheld an appeal to extradite Julian Assange to the US to be tried on espionage charges which carry a life sentence. Expert medical opinion is that he is very unwell and will be at risk of serious harm in the US prison system or if the legal processes are extended, by continued imprisonment in the UK prison.
Australia cannot become a staging point for the U.S. military, we cannot abrogate our sovereignty to the U.S., we cannot encourage nuclear proliferation and risk environmental catastrophe.
Australian peace, environmental and other activists and organisations are opposed to the Morrison Government decision to join the trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States (AUKUS) and the development of nuclear submarines.
This authoritarian decision, taken without consultation or engagement of the Australian public, undermines Australian sovereignty, wastes taxpayers money, damages the environment and poses a threat to peace in the region and to global peace.
With this agreement, the Australian Government can no longer claim it is remaining neutral between Beijing and Washington. Now Australia is ‘all in’ with America, regardless of the public.
This agreement also cements military dependence on the U.S. as Australia becomes unable to operate without Washington’s approval. Furthermore, the Morrison Government has also committed to allowing further U.S. military forces into Australia.
This will not only deny Australia the ability to act independently but will also make it complicit in dangerous regional tensions and conflict, undermining global cooperation to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
AUKUS is a step backwards for diplomacy, deepening a Cold War mentality, which has alienated Australia not only from France but our neighbours such as Malaysia and Indonesia.
Building nuclear submarines will impose an extraordinary economic burden on the Australian people. Funding for welfare, education, the environment and healthcare will be raided. These resources should be directed to the health, social and economic needs of workers and the Australian people.
There will also be a significant environmental cost as the presence of these vessels in our cities and harbours is a clear and present danger. There are already nine nuclear reactors on the seafloor from sunken nuclear submarines.
For these reasons and many more, we are calling on the Australian Government to fully withdraw from AUKUS and the development of nuclear submarines.
This statement was issued following an emergency meeting of over one hundred activists from around Australia.
- Monumental foreign policy decisions cannot be made without any public engagement behind closed doors.
- A nuclear-powered submarine fleet will represent a fundamental threat to global peace.
- Aukus cements Australia as a subordinate of the U.S. (Independent Peaceful Australia Network - IPAN)
"The shocking announcement of a trilateral security partnership between the U.S., U.K. and Australia (Aukus), which will be tied to Australia receiving nuclear submarines, is a blow to Australia’s independence and peace in the region.
The security partnership, Aukus, was announced without any public scrutiny or engagement.
While China was not mentioned in the announcement it is clear that this partnership is designed to confront and contain China, in a belligerent and dangerous manner." (IPAN)
A Global Times article by Yang Sheng, entitled “Nuke sub deal could make Australia ‘potential nuclear war target,’ reports Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a press briefing that "China will pay close attention to the development of the AUKUS deal. Relevant countries should abandon their Cold War and zero-sum game mentality; otherwise, they will lift a rock that drops on their own feet." (https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202109/1234460.shtml)
Zhao also said that the 'AUKUS' alliance “seriously damages regional peace and stability, intensifies the arms race, and undermines the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.” And that, “Countries should not build exclusionary blocs targeting or harming the interests of third parties. In particular, they should shake off their Cold-War mentality and ideological prejudice.”
IPAN stated, "Australia’s receiving of a nuclear submarine fleet as part of Aukus will only cement Canberra’s subordination to Washington.
There are also serious practical considerations to having nuclear submarines that received no public consideration.
Australia will be the only country that has nuclear submarines without nuclear weapons and domestic nuclear industry. While Prime Minister Morrison has said the submarines will not necessitate the development of said industries - despite the Government's close relationship to the pro-nuclear lobby - this only highlights our further dependence on, and integration into, the U.S.
Furthermore, this deal will likely see an end to the $90 billion contracts with the French company Naval Group, which marks one of the most egregious wastes of public funds.
During an economic downturn and a pandemic spending on public healthcare, education and public services should be the priority, sinking billions into submarines that will only put Australia in danger is irresponsible."
IPAN spokesperson, Dr Vince Scappatura, said:
"Embracing Aukus means undermining Australia's sovereign defence capabilities and contributing to further militarisation of the region. Australia should be working to reduce tensions and promote peaceful relations. Never has such a monumental decision been made with such little consultation and public engagement.""We have only just withdrawn from Afghanistan, a generation-long invasion that is still causing untold devastation. Without taking a breath we have gone from following the U.S. into one catastrophe to committing ourselves to another."
The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network calls on the Australian Government to stop its support of the Israeli occupation and condemn the theft of Palestinian homes and land by Israel.
The Australian Government cannot pretend it does not have a role in the violence perpetrated by the Israeli military against Palestinians.
The Government has given a substantial amount of money to Israeli weapon manufacturers who supply the occupation, including $1.8 billion worth of Government contracts to Israeli weapon manufacturer Elbit Systems since 2010.
Furthermore, the Government's claim that occupied Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and failure to recognise both the Palestinian State as well as Palestinians' right to self-defence, amounts to support of the illegal occupation of Palestinian land.
Over recent days, we have also seen the Israeli military raid Al-Aqsa Mosque, which may amount to a war crime; kill over 100 people, including 28 children; assist extremists in stealing Palestinian houses; and conduct a ground invasion of Gaza.
Due to these events, the ongoing occupation and, as Humans Rights Watch recently reported, Israel's perpetuation of an Apartheid system, IPAN calls on the Government to:
- Unequivocally condemn the violence against Palestinian protesters
- Call for Israel to immediately stop its occupation of Palestinian territory
- Pursue a policy of diplomacy and non-violence
- Stop awarding contracts to weapon manufacturers who supply the Israeli military
For more information got to https://www.ipan.org.au or email [email protected]
Video inside with Ian Lowe talking on the impact of war on carbon gas production, and Peter Catt asking for people's views on the connection between war and refugees. The general public is invited to give their opinion in this democratic inquiry. The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) is a national network of community, peace and faith organisations, environment groups, trade unions and individuals concerned about the social, economic, environmental, military and political costs of Australia’s involvement in US-led wars. IPAN advocates an independent and peaceful Australian foreign policy. IPAN is conducting a broad People’s Inquiry examining the costs and consequences of Australia’s involvement in US led wars and the US alliance.
The Inquiry aims to give a voice to the community and increase public discussion on the social, economic, financial, environmental and political impacts. It seeks to inform and promote debate in the Australian community. The national Inquiry invites organisations and community members to make submissions on their views and concerns. We also invite submissions offering alternatives for the future. We are keen to develop a coherent and persuasive case for an independent and peaceful Australian foreign policy, and military and defence spending priorities. (See here for earlier information about the inquiry.)
The Inquiry deals with 8 key areas:
• Impact on First Nation Peoples
• Social and Community (Health, Education, Community & Welfare, Housing)
• Union and Workers’ Rights (Job security, workers’ rights, defence and sustainable industries)
• Environment and Climate Change
Military and Defence
Foreign Policy
Economic
Political, including Democratic Rights
For more information about the Inquiry, How to submit, Inquiry Background Paper, Terms of Refence please go to the People's Inquiry webpage: https://Independentpeacefulaustralia.com.au/
We are also offering you/your organisation a face-to-face or online presentation and discussion on the Inquiry and how to submit. If you are interested please feel free to contact us to arrange a time.
Submissions to the Inquiry will be reviewed by a panel of experts chaired by lawyer and investigative journalist, Kellie Tranter, and used to prepare a report on the impact to Australians, of the military alliance with the United States and involvement in wars of the past 70 years, from Korea to Afghanistan (where Australian personnel are still deployed). This report will be widely promoted and publicised in the community, the media, in parliament, amongst politicians and public figures.
With the escalating US-China tensions, the Inquiry report will share your views and suggestions for alternatives to our current predicament.
A submission can be one paragraph or up to 5,000 words. Please also pass this on to anyone whom you think may be interested.
We very much hope that you will be able to fit this important task into your busy schedule.
With best wishes,
IPAN-Victoria Representatives
On behalf of the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network
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