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Tasmanian Branch News http://wilpf.org.au/branches/tasmania/home.htm
WILPF celebrates 95th Birthday
Every branch of WILPF celebrated 95 years of peace activism and diplomatic negotiating.
In Canberra, Marilyn Lake gave the keynote address. Read her speech here (pdf 100Kb)
Marilyn Lake is an Australian historian whose primary work has focused on the emergence of women's rights, the White Australia policy,[1] and Aboriginal rights. She is a Professor of History at La Trobe University. Read about her at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Lake
In NSW Dr Helen Caldecott was the guest speaker. Helen Caldicott is an Australian physician, author, and anti-nuclear advocate who has founded several associations dedicated to opposing the use of depleted uranium munitions, nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons proliferation, war and military action in general. She hosts a weekly radio program, If You Love This Planet. Read about her at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Caldicott
Arms manufacturer funding /controlling curriculum development in South Australia
Voice your concerns see
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325
" Women, Peace and Security"
Update October 2009
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 "Women, Peace and Security" was passed in October 2000. The Resolution asks all member states to protect women and girls in areas of conflict, and to ensure increased representation of women at all levels of decision-making for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict; and in all conflict resolution and peace processes. For more information, see http://www.peacewomen.org/
The end of June saw the Australian Section of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) complete our UNSCR1325 project on time. Our project reported unanimous agreement for the development of an Australian national action plan to implement UNSCR1325. We will continue to work to see this achieved. The federal government's Office for Women will now brief their Minister on the outcomes and recommendations contained in the Final Report. We trust Minister Tanya Plibersek agrees with the wider community view that the development of an Australian national action plan to implement UNSCR 1325 is a worthy priority.
The discussion paper, final report and Prof Lis Porter’s presentation notes for this project are available on the Australian 1325 website http://www.1325australia.org.au
Beijing+15 Caravan
The Fourth World Women's Conference in Beijing in 1995 developed a Platform for Action and every five years this Platform for Action is reviewed by reports to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Governments are required to report and non-government organisations (NGOs) can provide a parallel report on the twelve focus areas eg, "Women and poverty", "Women and health", "Education and training of women" etc.
At the time of next year's CSW meeting, it will be fifteen years since the Beijing Conference - hence "Beijing+15".
In the lead-up to the CSW meeting in March next year, consultations with NGOs were held around Australia. Adelaide's consultation was held in early September with many women's organisations participating. WILPF took the lead in the focus area "Women and armed conflict."
The Australian NGO shadow report is now being completed. It will go forward to the Regional NGO Forum and then on to CSW next year.
The Australian NGO shadow report is now being completed. It will go forward to the Regional NGO Forum and then on to CSW next year.
Ruth Russell
National Coordinator
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (Australian Section)
PO Box 345 Rundle Mall, SA 5000, Australia
Phone: 08 8296 4357
Parliament of the World's Religions
Melbourne Australia, 3 - 9 December 2009,
WILPF nationally and internationally is a non-sectarian organisation with no religious affilliations. However, the work done for peace by ecumenical religious activities are of significance and we link this for those who may be interested to know of these activities. http://www.parliamentofreligions.org/
Make Peace at Bondi Beach
WILPF endorses and supports the World MARCH for peace
Sydney joins millions of voices for Peace on 4th October 2009
http://www.pressenza.com/apermalink/make-peace-at-bondi-beach
The March commences in New Zealand on the 2nd October, the anniversary of Gandhi's birth, which has been declared the "International Day of Non-Violence" by the United Nations. Australia is one of 90 countries participating in this inaugural event. An international delegation of 15 will arrive in Australia on the 3rd-4th October to attend the Sydney opening. The March will conclude its travels in the Andes Mountains (Punta de Vacas, Aconcagua, Argentina) on January 2, 2010. The March will last 90 days, three long months of travel. It will pass through all climates and seasons, from the hot summer of the tropics and the deserts, to the winter of Siberia.
Photos of the BONDI event 1.group 2.WILPF NSW President Stefania (holding NSW foldable one-woman banners)
Every three years, WILPF Australia Triennial Meeting
members of the Australian Section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom gather in a National Section Meeting. This year's Meeting was held 22nd to 24th May 2009 at Mercy Place, Bardon. Mercy Place is in a beautiful setting in suburban Brisbane near Mount Coot-tha.
Many WILPF women around Australia, and particularly members in the Queensland Branch, worked hard to make the Australian Section Meeting go so well. At the Meeting, members were welcomed to country, heard fine speeches, participated in workshops and plenary sessions, sang songs, enjoyed performances by the Queensland WILPF Performers for Peace group, planned our work programme for the next three years and elected office bearers.
On Saturday morning 23rd May, we were welcomed to country by Maroochy Barambah of Turrbul/ Dippil ancestry. The Meeting was officially opened by the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency, Ms Penelope Wensley AO. The Governor's opening speech is available at:
http://www.govhouse.qld.gov.au/the_governor/090523_wilpf.aspx
Our keynote speaker was WILPF International Vice President, Felicity Hill. Her speech is available here:
The speaker for the conference dinner on Saturday night was Senator Claire Moore, Labor Senator for Queensland.
At the annual general meeting on Sunday 24th May, members accepted the annual report. The annual report of the Australian Section for the year ended December 31st 2008 is available here:
A number of workshops were presented at the Meeting on these topics:
* Growing WILPF
* WILPF Communications
* On the Art of Stealing Human Rights
* Responding to the Defence White Paper
* Peace Talks in the Philippines
* Enhancing our Effectiveness as Activists: an Introduction to Re-evaluation Counselling
* Gender Power Imbalances and Family Court Hearings Involving Indigenous Offenders and Victims
* The Commodification of Water; and
* Sustaining and Targeting Activism
The PPT slides for the workshop on "Sustaining and Targeting Activism" by Winnifred Louis of Psychologists for Peace is available here: http://www2.psy.uq.edu.au/~wlouis/wlouis_wilpf_0509.ppt
Saying NO to Nuclear
At a recent protest organised by the Anti Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia, WILPF International Vice President, Felicity Hill gave this speech saying NO to nuclear weapons, NO to nuclear reactors and NO to uranium mining.
Women, Peace and Security
Discussion paper here:download pdf see consultation dates for each state
With funding from the Australian Government's Office for Women, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is conducting research and consulting widely on ideas for developing an Australian National Action Plan to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
The key question under discussion will be:
Should Australia become the next country to develop a national action plan to implement United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security?
If so, how? If not, why not?
During May and June, consultation workshops will be conducted in eight capital cities around the country. The consultations will be facilitated by Professor Elisabeth Porter of the University of South Australia. Professor Porter is the internationally renowned author of monographs such as "Peacebuilding: Women in International Perspective".
This discussion paper provides background for the consultation workshops. While it is not necessary to do so, participants may wish to read the discussion paper before attending the consultation in your city. Copies of the discussion paper will be available to all participants on the day.
Please download from our website the invitation flier for the consultation in your capital city.
Written responses to the discussion paper are also welcome. Written submissions can be emailed to wilpfaustralia@wilpf.org.au by 10th June 2009.
Further information on UNSC Resolution 1325 visit our other WILPF websites
http://www.1325australia.org.au http://www.peacewomen.org/
WILPF media release: "Budget Jackpot to Defence": download pdf
Discussion paper here:download pdf
return to top of page
Dates for consultations:
ACT:Thursday 28th May 2009, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Quality Suites Clifton, 100 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra [download invite]
NSW: Friday 29th May 2009, 9.30am – 12.30pm
The Women’s College, University of Sydney, 15 Carillon Avenue, (see campus maps attached)[download invite]
NT: Monday 1st June 2009, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Darwin Central Hotel, 21 Knuckey Street Darwin[download invite]
SA: Wednesday 20th May 2009, 9.30am – 12.30pm
“The Terrace” Pavilion, Veale Gardens, Corner South Terrace and Peacock Road, Adelaide[download invite]
Qld: Wednesday 27th May 2009, 9.30am – 12.30pm Boulevarde Room, Rydges, Corner Grey and Glenelg Streets South Bank [download invite]
SA: Wednesday 20th May 2009, 9.30am – 12.30pm
“The Terrace” Pavilion, Veale Gardens, Corner South Terrace and Peacock Road, Adelaide[download invite]
Tas: Friday 5th June 2009, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Tasmanian Women’s Centre, 140 – 142 Macquarie Street Hobart[download invite]
Vic: Thursday 4th June 2009, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Level 1, 210 Lonsdale Street Melbourne[download invite]
WA:Tuesday 2nd June 2009, 9.30am – 12.30pm
“ Montana-A”, All Seasons Perth, 15 Robinson Avenue, Northbridge[download invite]
WILPF Triennial Australian Section Meeting and AGM
Brisbane May 22-24th 2009 Dowload Information and registration form
Workshop Proposal Form
April 2009 Peace and Freedom
Make you Maoney work for peace
The Australian Government's Department of Defence will be hosting a Defence + Industry Conference and Trade Exhibition at the Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, 30 June to 2 July 2009. At this conference, potential contractors will “maximise their business opportunities” with the Department of Defence.
If you would like to express your opposition to this disproportionate government spending and to the arms trade in general, you are invited to join us in a series of four workshops. People of all sexes, ages and singing abilities are welcome to come to any or all of three singing workshops and one non-violent direct action workshop. (Full Details)
In mid-2008, Australian WILPF women and many other peace activists made important contributions to the Defence White Paper review of Australian defence policy. WILPF (Australia) made a written submission to the review and many WILPF women attended the community consultations around the country where we asked questions and/or made statements to the review panel.
In terms of government funding, the Department of Defence receives special treatment. As indicated above, Defence spending has been prioritised to increase in real terms. The 2000 Defence White Paper successfully recommended that the government commit itself to increasing Defence base spending by 3% per annum in real terms to 2010-11. This is very generous treatment given the focus on cutting budgets in other areas (ie Defence has been quarantined from cuts and it initially added $28.5 billion in resources over the period 2000-2010). In the 2006/07 Budget, the Howard Government extended this commitment to 2015-16. In the first Rudd Government budget, the commitment was extended to 20017-18.
The 2006/07 budget of the Howard Government was the sixth budget since the 2000 Defence White Paper that had met or exceeded the White Paper commitment of 3% increase in real terms. As a result there was a 37% increase in Defence expenditure in real terms since the first Howard Government budget (1995/96-2006/07).
By comparison, the projected increases in Defence spending (increase of $39.2B 2000/01-2015/16) is more than 3 times the budget allocated to restore the Darling River Murray System (about $12B now under Rudd).
In September 2008, WILPF (Australia) made our written submission to the Defence White Paper policy review. (Full text here...)
This Defence White Paper review process was chaired by former senator Stephen Loosely who in March 2008 had been appointed as a Director to the Board of Thales, one of Australia's largest arms manufacturing companies. Because of these links on the part of Mr Loosely with the arms trade, WILPF also wrote to the Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, about the inappropriateness of the appointment of Stephen Loosely as chair of the community consultations. (Full text here...)
And there's more Talisman Sabre War Games in 2009 - Letter to Minister for Defense
Because women have been inadequately represented in debates worldwide on issues of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, WILPF's submission of February 2009 to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties' Inquiry into Nuclear Non-proliferation drew the Committee's attention to the question of gender balance. (Full text of submission here ...) and the covering letter (here)
The importance of this Review Conference cannot be underestimated. Australia has an ever increasing number of different cultural and racial groups settling to live permanently and becoming citizens. Every Australian needs to be engaged in working to study and understand these differences so we can become a more harmonious society where all are accepted without discrimination of any kind, and racist attitudes and intolerances are a thing of the past. In addition, Australia has the eyes of the world on us due to the well-known and ongoing difficulties and gap in life expectancy endured by our Indigenous Australians. (full letter)
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) wrote to you twice in recent months regarding the limitations of funding and restrictions on the scope of work that Family Planning organisations could perform in developing countries. We now wish to congratulate you and the Government on your decision to rescind the restrictions on information and education programs in women’s health in developing countries which included references to abortion or post-coital contraception. (Full Letter)
We believe that Israel’s undisputed right to self-defence does not allow the killing of civilians. According to estimates from reliable Palestinian medical sources, the death toll from the recent attacks in Gaza now stands at over 900, and the United Nations has confirmed that a large number of the dead are civilians. (Full Letter)
It is with heavy hearts and a deep sense of great sadness that we find it necessary to write to you once again. We write on behalf of the Australian Section of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) concerning the conflict in Gaza. We write to add the voice of our organisation to increasing calls from the international community (Full Letter)
Our members were relieved and delighted to learn of the cancellation of the Asia Pacific Defence and Security Exhibition (APDSE) ........
We very much regretted the blunder on the part of the APDSE proponents, the UK arms manufacturer, concerning their poor choice of opening date. We believe that to schedule the opening of such an event on Remembrance Day was an insult to the memory of all those who have lost their lives in war, ...
It is truly hard to believe that the arms manufacturers could have been so negligent and disrespectful as to schedule the opening of their arms exhibition to coincide with such an important day of remembrance. It was insensitive in the extreme. (full Letter)
More recently, he has described peace activists, among whom we number ourselves, as “feral low-life” (Adelaide Now, September 7, 2008). ...
You will no doubt be aware that Mr Foley’s comments are unwelcome to many women voters in SA, and, we suspect, to many men as well. In a changed electoral climate when the Northern Territory and West Australian Labor Governments have struggled in recent times to maintain their electoral advantage, we believe that Mr Foley has become a liability for SA Labor. (full letter)
Letter to Deputy prime minster Gillard on the Submission to the Federal Government’s legislation to suspnd welfare payments to parents
Our organisation is deeply concerned to learn of the legislation, which we understand you have introduced, to suspend welfare payments in the case of truancy for more
than 3,000 children in six areas in the Northern Territory and two other districts, including Canning in Western Australia.
As a means of ensuring parental responsibility, this very punitive approach is likely to produce a number of (presumably) unintended consequences. Read full Story
Northern Territory Emergency Response Review
submission
Appendix1-transcript of interview with consultant
Appendix 2 - Why Warriors Lie Down and Die_- executive summary
SInging for Peace Workshop
Around the whole country, planning is well underway for our protest actions against the big arms expo, called the Asia Pacific Defence and Security Exhibition (APDSE) which is due to run in Adelaide from 11 to 13 November this year.
Read a report on the first of the singing protest workshops in the lead-up to APDSE which was held on Saturday 16 August at the Quaker Meeting House, 40A Pennington Terrace, North Adelaide. Read full report and get song files
You can join the web group and download mp3 to learn the songs in your town or organisation.
Australia sells guns and war toys on Armistice Day instead of Poppies
In November this year, an arms fair called the Asia Pacific Defence and Security Exhibition (APDSE) will be held in Adelaide, South Australia. Inappropriately, it is due to open on Remembrance Day (Tuesday 11 November), and runs over three days, finishing on Thursday 13 November. read more and get leaflet to share
Statement prepared by the Australian Section of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
Statement by the Australian Section of the Women’s International League
for Peace and Freedom, 28 April to 9 May 2008
presented at celebrations of the 93rd anniversary of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, 23 April 2008, Canberra
of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
WILPF Letters to Australian Government Members on the Occasion of their first day
WILPF welcomes the incoming Rudd Government. WILPF welcomes the new government's apology to the stolen generations and the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol - both moves were long overdue.
The first meeting of Australia's 42nd Parliament on Tuesday, 12th February 2008 is time of great hope for the Australian people.
WILPF has observed that, over the past eleven and a half years, much has been lost in Australia.
We believe that during the Howard years, Australia has moved towards becoming a less community-oriented, less caring and less egalitarian society. The Australian ethos of the fair go has waned. We have seen a far greater emphasis on militarism through increased annual joint training exercises with the United States and other nations, especially at Shoalwater Bay in Queensland. At the same time, there has been a noticeable increase in nationalism, jingoism and the 'glorification of war' through a changed attitude to the commemorations of Anzac Day and Australia Day.
We have also observed that successive Federal budgets over the time of the Howard Government significantly increased defence expenditure compared with spending on education, health and welfare. This disproportionate spending on defence did not serve the needs of all Australians for real security - which cannot be bought through military might or military alliances - and certainly does not well serve the needs of Australian women. The situation for Australian women has deteriorated during the last eleven years.
We recall the great hopes of people in the United Kingdom when the UK Government of Prime Minister Tony Blair was first elected in 1997. Now eleven years later, we in Australia have elected a new Labor Government. While we recognise that there is a limit to what reformist governments are capable of in a capitalist society, we nevertheless hope that our new government will not break faith with the Australian people. With this in mind, we have written to some of the new Ministry expressing our hopes for a fairer Australia.
Claire Moore Jenny Macklin Penny Wong Tanya Plibersek
Peter Garrett Attorney General McClelland Joel Fitzgibbon Stephen Smith
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