IPAN opposes weapons export and subsidisation by Australian Government

These are some of the targets of Australian made weapons used in Yemen

The Independent and Peaceful Network (IPAN), which is an alliance of a cross section of community organisations across Australia has released a statement opposing the Australian government’s decision to fund and promote the export of weapons. One example is the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia, which is prosecuting a brutal war against the people of Yemen. This statement has been endorsed by Wage Peace, Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance, Disarm Unis, Peace Convergence, and Peace Pilgrims. Readers are asked to sign the IPAN petition. The statement has been reproduced below.

There is nothing admirable about aspiring to be in the world’s top 10 arms exporters.  

In January 2018, a decision to allocate $3.8bn to support manufacturers of military equipment to export their products through EFIC (Export Finance and Insurance Corporation) was made by the Government. This led to expressions of disgust from the members of IPAN and many other community organisations, including faith communities.  

The Australian Stock Exchange listed company, Electro Optic Systems, has received more than $30Million but that is just 1% of the total offered. Dozens more deals are being done.  

Weapons technology including artificial intelligence is being subsidised by Australians and heading to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Both are involved in extraordinary abuses in Yemen, currently the “worst humanitarian crisis in the world”.  

Breaking news from ABC journalist Dylan Welch has been received by those in the Australian community as another example of how low the current government will go in their ambition to be included in the club of countries and corporations who fund arms exporters and dismiss the human rights of those who bear the brunt of wars as are the people of Yemen.  

Australia needs to declare our independence from those countries and corporations and work for non-military solutions as a good global citizen.


2 Comments on "IPAN opposes weapons export and subsidisation by Australian Government"

  1. There is no moral reason for Australia’s involvement in Arms Manufacture

  2. Patricia Neild | 28 February 2019 at 8:17 pm | Reply

    What can we do to stop this horror. 🙁

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