MEDIA RELEASE: AUKUS
26 November 2021
MAJOR DEFENCE CONTRACT SHOULD WAIT FOR PUBLIC AND PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL
Recent statements by the Defence Minister, Peter Dutton that he is proceeding with his commitment to the AUKUS contract with the United States and United Kingdom to introduce nuclear submarines to the forward planning of the Australian Defence Department indicate undue haste and lack of scrutiny by either the Australian public or the Australian Parliament.
Minister Dutton has insulted the Australian people by announcing a sham public inquiry with an early closing date of November 26th, just a week after its announcement. Clearly the Minister is not serious about wanting to consult Australians nor can he be trusted to take on board any of their input or concerns. Genuine consultation about such a major defence and foreign policy shift which will greatly influence Australia’s future security, so all aspects of AUKUS needs ongoing detailed scrutiny and debate by the people who will have to live with the consequences of this arbitrary decision making
The many faceted implications of the AUKUS announcement cannot be fully considered through one press release and a short time frame for public response.
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Australian Section (WILPF) will ask the Minister to delay his sudden internal inquiry and develop a broad community consultation process that has specific guidelines and time frame suited to the breadth of this military policy announcement.
At the same time there should also be a Senate Inquiry which has the power to seek detail not currently available to the public.
Furthermore, WILPF considers there is no urgency to finalise the AUKUS contractual arrangements until these rigorous consultation and inquiry processes are fully considered and agreed to by the Australian Parliament.
For context or comment contact:
Margaret Reynolds, President WILPF Australia, Ph: 0418 181 843
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