IPAN Press Conference: Sleepwalking into War? Friday opening of Perth Conference – Media Alert 4 Oct 2024

IPAN Patrons

  Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe & Kellie Tranter

MEDIA ALERT                                                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            3 October 2024

 What: Press Conference on current wars and AUKUS as preparation for more war.

Who: Senator Fatima Payman, Independent WA Senator

Dr Carmen Lawrence, Former WA Labor Premier and Former Federal MP

Professor Lisa Natividad, University of Guam

Senator Jordon Steele-John Greens WA Senator

Organised by the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network

When: Friday 4 October, 10.30 – 11.15 am

 Where: Supreme Court Gardens, 2 Barrack Street, Perth. Google Maps: Supreme+Court+Gardens

Limited parking available

 Why: This Press Conference brings together key speakers from upcoming IPAN Conference (4- 6 October) at this pivotal time in world affairs to bring a focus on diplomacy and peace as solutions to current wars; and to critique AUKUS and the increased militarisation of Australia.

 Media Interviews: Press Conference Public Meeting speakers:

Senator Fatima Payman:              08 6245 3322                          senator.payman@aph.gov.au

Senator Jordon Steele-John:         0427 681 296 / 08 6245 3310 senator.steele-john@aph.gov.au

Dr Carmen Lawrence:                  0407 377 582                          carmen.lawrence@uwa.edu.au

Professor Lisa Natividad:              WhatsApp +1-671-777-7285  lisanati@yahoo.com

Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow 0403 611 815

Friday 4th October Peace Gathering at Gates of HMAS Stirling Naval Base
12:30 pm         Gates of HMAS Stirling – Speak out & elm dance
1:30pm            Speakers/drummers at Rockingham foreshore
2:30pm            Visit to BAE Gates Photo op, Speakers

Public Meeting Friday 4 October, 6 pm at the Perth Library with Senator Fatima Payman, Dr Carmen Lawrence, Professor Lisa Natividad and Senator Jordon Steele-John; Wakeley Award Winning Journalist Sophie McNeill will be the MC.

To attend online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84897168636?pwd=c7lOiajkfz0QVTOEYUMMYKCQKTA4EV.1

Meeting ID: 848 9716 8636 Passcode: 937394

For more information or to register for the Public Meeting and Conference: ipan-conference-2024

Senator Payman quote:

With strong and bold leadership, Australia could be an independent and peaceful nation with its own foreign policy and control over its own defence capabilities and be the exemplary champion for human rights, democracy and peace.”

Bio: Fatima Payman is the Independent Senator for Western Australia. Raised in the northern suburbs of Perth, she is WA’s independent voice in Canberra. As an Australian Muslim with cultural roots from Afghanistan, her father’s journey as a refugee and his tireless work ethic inspired Fatima’s values of hard work and perseverance. As Australia’s youngest politician, Fatima is not afraid to speak her mind through bold and fearless advocacy. Dedicated to holding the government accountable, Fatima passionately represents the interests of Western Australians, ensuring their voices are heard in the corridors of power. With a commitment to transparency, integrity and justice, she is driven by a deep care for WA and an unwavering resolve to make a positive impact.

 Bio: Jordon Steele-John is a British-born Australian politician and disability rights advocate. He is a member of the Australian Senate as a representative of Western Australia, and is a member of the Australian Greens. He began his political career in 2013, and was elected by declaration to the Senate in 2017.

 Bio: Dr Carmen Lawrence: After training as a research psychologist at the University of Western Australia and lecturing in a number of Australian universities, Dr Lawrence entered politics in 1986, serving at both State and Federal levels for 21 years. She was at various times W.A Minister for Education and Aboriginal affairs and was the first woman Premier and Treasurer of a State government.  She shifted to Federal politics in 1994 when she was elected as the Member for Fremantle and was appointed Minister for Health and Human Services and Minister assisting the Prime Minister on the Status of Women.  She has held various portfolios in Opposition, including Indigenous Affairs, Environment, Industry and Innovation and was elected national President of the Labor Party in 2004. She retired from politics in 2007. She is now Senior Honorary Research Fellow

and Professor Emerita in the School of Psychological Science at the University of Western Australia.

Bio: Dr Lisalinda Natividad is a professor of social work and CHamoru Studies at the University of Guam. She also manages a private behavioral health practice.  She is a founding member of the Pacific Indigenous Women’s Network and I Hagan Famalao’an Guahan.  She has been affiliated with the International Peace Bureau and the International Network of Women Against Militarism.  She lives on Guahan in the village of Inalåhan with her son, Atdao-mami.

 Further details on the Conference

 “Sleepwalking into War?”

  • Opposing AUKUS, nuclear submarines and nuclear waste
  • Campaigning for a just, peaceful and sustainable world

Topics to be covered include:

  • AUKUS – Alternative uses of $368 billion, dangers of nuclear waste, and implications for Australian Policy
  • Lessons from Gaza
  • Developing regional peace initiatives in the Asia Pacific
  • Impacts of war on the environment and indigenous rights
  • Countering threats of nuclear war
  • Campaigning for a more independent and genuine defence policy for Australia

Australian and International speakers at the weekend Conference include:

  • First Nations Greens Senator Dorinda Cox Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe, AO
  • Senator David Shoebridge John Lander, former Ambassador
  • Anu Chenoy, International Peace Bureau Councillor