PAN Patrons: Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe AO & Kellie Tranter Lawyer & Human Rights Activist
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE 3 June 2025
- IPAN supports PM Albanese’s firm rejection of US demands to increase military spending by billions
- Australia must not be drawn into a conflict with China over Taiwan
- AUKUS Pillars 1 and 2 should be cancelled
‘The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) has welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s response to U.S. demands to increase Australian defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, affirming that ‘Australia will determine its own defence policy,’ stated IPAN Spokesperson, Dr Vince Scappatura from Macquarie University.
However, IPAN remains concerned about the government’s ability to stand firm in the face of ongoing U.S. pressure, particularly given apparent internal divisions. In contrast to the Prime Minister’s position, Defence Minister Richard Marles responded to the U.S. demand by stating that an increase in defence spending is a conversation ‘we are totally up for’.[1]
‘IPAN urges the Australian government to adopt a defence policy focused on safeguarding Australia’s territory and grounded in non-nuclear armed neutrality. This means refraining from involvement in wars between other countries’, Dr Scappatura continued.
Recent messaging from the United States indicating its readiness to ‘fight and win decisively’ a war with China over Taiwan is deeply concerning. [2] ‘Australia must not be drawn into preparations for, or involvement in, such a conflict’, said Dr Scappatura.
As former Prime Minister Paul Keating has clearly stated:
‘Australia should not be drawn into a conflict with China over Taiwan and has no obligation to assist if U.S. forces launch an attack over the disputed island. Taiwan is not a vital Australian interest. Let me repeat that, Taiwan is not a vital Australian interest’.
‘There is no foreseeable direct military threat to Australia posed by China’, added Dr Scappatura. ‘However, hosting an expanded U.S. military presence on Australian territory capable of conducting strategic operations – including potentially nuclear operations – is highly likely to make us a target if war breaks out between the U.S and China. This would be disastrous for the Australian people’, warned Dr Scappatura.
IPAN believes that in the interests of peace, regional stability, and continued constructive diplomatic relations, the U.S military footprint in Australia must be removed.
To achieve this, IPAN is calling for the termination of the Force Posture Agreement (FPA), which governs the growing U.S. military presence in Australia. The FPA grants access by U.S. forces to a secret list of any number of Australian defence facilities and areas, and leaves open the types of potential missions ‘as the Parties may mutually determine’. ‘This represents a diminution of Australian sovereignty, democratic transparency and accountability’, stated Dr Scappatura.
In addition, IPAN is calling for the cancellation of AUKUS, along with many other civil-society organisations and prominent public figures. The agreement clearly represents preparation for a potential U.S.-led war against China.
US and Australian defence officials have recently discussed further accelerating U.S. military capabilities in Australia, deepening cooperation on defence industry development, and strengthening supply chain resilience.[3]
‘This push to accelerate military integration under AUKUS Pillar 2 would position Australia as a manufacturer of munitions – including long-range missiles – to support a U.S. war effort against China. This must not proceed,’ said Dr Scappatura.
Australians want peace and independence. IPAN urges the Prime Minister and his government to resist U.S. pressure and to assert an independent and peaceful defence policy.
‘Military spending must be aligned with the actual security risks we face, with priority given to addressing the urgent and primary threat posed by climate change. Increases in defence spending will inevitably divert resources from critical areas such as housing, healthcare, and education – sectors in urgent need of investment that would far better serve the wellbeing of the Australian people’, concluded Dr Scappatura.
ENDS
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For Media Interviews: Dr Vince Scappatura M: 0422 837 002 and Bevan Ramsden M: 0418 697 528
Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow M: 0403 611 815
Bio: Dr Vince Scappatura teaches Politics and International Relations at Macquarie University. His latest book is The US Lobby and Australian Defence Policy. Panel Member for the IPAN People’s Inquiry (2020-2022).
Bio: Bevan Ramsden is an ex-telecommunications engineer and telecommunications teacher and a long-time peace activist going back to the Vietnam Moratorium Campaign and campaign against conscription in the 1970s. Bevan was a member of the IPAN coordinating committee for a number of years and is the editor of its monthly publication, Voice.
[1] https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/transcripts/2025-06-01/doorstop-interview-singapore
[2] https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/us-china-rivalry-the-biggest-threat-to-global-security-macron-warns-20250530-p5m3q8.html
[3] https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4202734/readout-of-secretary-of-defense-pete-hegseths-bilateral-meeting-with-australia/