The Independent Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) has issued a media release strongly opposing the prospect of RAAF planes carrying out bombing missions in Syria.

This follows a statement made by Prime Minister Tony Abbott on August 21 that indicated the likelihood of Australia joining the United States in carrying out airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria.

The PM claimed that he had received a “formal request” from the US administration for the RAAF to carry out bombing missions in Syria.

The US has been carrying out airstrikes in Syria for many months and RAAF planes have been involved in refuelling aircraft engaged in these missions. Continue reading IPAN opposes Australian airstrikes in Syria →

The Talisman Sabre military exercises (TS2015) which are about to begin in northern Australia represent the largest combined military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Around 30,000 service personnel, including 12,000 Australians, are taking part. There will be contingents from the US, NZ and, for the first time, Japan.

The exercises demonstrate the closeness of the alliance between Australia and the US – but will also serve to make that alliance even closer. Continue reading Talisman Sabre 2015 →

MPG has written a long letter to the Minister for Defence, Kevin Andrews, following the extraordinary statement made (and then retracted) by US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, Mr David Shear.

MPG has expressed the view that Mr Shear actually knew what he was saying – and that his ‘mistake’ has revealed the US government’s true intention of positioning military assets in Australia, permanently. This causes deep concern, as tensions between the US and China escalate. Meanwhile Australia, by constantly enhancing the alliance, has effectively taken sides with the US, placing the nation at risk of becoming involved in conflict. Read the letter in full here.

The Minister has been invited to contradict MPG’s position.

For more information, read MPG’s Briefing Paper: The Australia/US Alliance here.

On March 3, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the deployment to Iraq of an additional 300 Australian troops. As if to emphasise the gap between rhetoric and action, when making the announcement he said “This is not mission-creep…”. From MPG’s perspective, mission-creep is exactly what it is.

The Prime Minister described the deployment as “prudent and proportionate” and “in the national interest”. He went on to argue that it was important for domestic security, saying that Australia must do its bit to disrupt and degrade IS at its source. Continue reading More troops to be deployed to Iraq →

MPG has made a submission to the Defence White Paper process. Its main focus is reflected in the title – ‘Questioning the Value of the Australia/US Alliance’. The full text can be read here.

A list of all 269 public submissions can be accessed here. Continue reading Defence White Paper 2015 →

MPG has joined other peace groups from across the nation in endorsing a statement opposing further military intervention by Australia in Iraq.

The last time Australia intervened, the consequences were disastrous. There is nothing to indicate that they will do any better this time round. Putting more weapons into the region is not likely to reduce the level of violence. (Click photo to view full image).

MPG has opposed the presence of US marines in Darwin ever since President Obama and Prime Minister Gillard announced their arrival (in November 2011). There have been no satisfactory reasons given for the marines being here and no indication of the strategic benefit their presence gives to Australia.

With IPAN-NSW, MPG approached Senator Lee Rhiannon and asked her to ask some specific questions on our behalf. Those questions and the responses can be read here. Continue reading Marines in Darwin: Questions asked in Senate Estimates Hearing →

MPG assisted GCPC in organising a public forum on the topic ‘ANZAC – why does it last?’ which took place at the University of Sydney on Tuesday August 5, 2014.

Details of the forum can be found here. The excellent address given by Prof. Joan Beaumont can be read here.

Major General Burr is an Australian Army officer, who is also deputy commander of the US Army in the Western Pacific. Here is a photo of him in Mongolia, during US/Mongolian exercises.

MPG has written to the Minister of Defence, seeking an explanation of General Burr’s role. Which government does he serve? To which country does he owe allegiance? Is he the servant of two masters? How does this arrangement work? And doesn’t it rest on the presumption that Australian and US military interests always coincide precisely?

Concern about the F-35 JSF continues to grow, with reports of its many problems – not to mention the huge expense. A petition sponsored by the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network – NSW (IPAN), calling for the agreement to purchase the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to be scrapped, was handed to Senator Lee Rhiannon early in August. More than 1,700 signatures were collected. Continue reading Don’t Buy the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter →

MPG has joined other community groups in the Marrickville area to form the Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign.

The group is concerned about the anticipated avalanche of propaganda associated with the centenary of WW1 – which appears to have started already with this year’s ANZAC commemorations. As part of the ‘Canberra Peace Convergence’, one member of the group joined the party marching under the banner ‘Lest We Forget the Frontier Wars’. The party was prevented from entering the Australian War Memorial by the AFP. (See photo). Continue reading Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign →