MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE 28th November,2023
- The FPA represents an abrogation of sovereignty
- The FPA gives the US military unimpeded access to our ports and airfields and the US to station B52 bombers at RAAF Base Tindal
- The FPA enables the US to launch hostile, military operations from our soil bringing retaliation against the people of Australia
This IPAN petition is to be presented to parliament by Mr Stephen Bates, Member for Brisbane, during the grievance debate in the Federation Chamber on Tuesday 27 November 2023.
IPAN Spokesperson Bevan Ramsden states, ”The petition asks the House of Representatives to urge the Minister for Defence to terminate the US-Australia Force Posture Agreement giving the United States the requisite 12 months advance notice of this intent as required by the US-Australia Force Posture Agreement, Article XXI, paragraph 3.”
He continued, ”The Agreement provides to the United States military unimpeded access to Australia’s ports and airfields and to “Agreed facilities and areas” which are under exclusive US control. These “facilities and areas” include those used for training, pre-positioning of military equipment and other purposes. It represents a serious abrogation of sovereignty”.
The petition states that the Agreement with the United States, signed in 2014:
- provides the legal basis for the stationing of foreign troops on Australian soil including the stationing of 2,500 US Marines each year in Darwin. These troops are under the control of the US Indo-Pacific Command.
- facilitates the stationing of up to six US B52 bombers at RAAF Tindal, some of which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
- underpins the basing of nuclear submarines at HMAS Stirling in WA from 2027 onwards, posing a serious health risk in the area should radiation leaks occur.
- could facilitate the launching or support of hostile military actions by the US against other countries in our region which could bring retaliation against the people of Australia. The Agreement should be terminated in order for the Australian government to regain sovereign control of Australian territory and to promote peace in our region.
The e-petition, which was open for only four weeks and received 3,916 signatures.
These Parliamentary proceedings can be viewed online at this link: Watch, Read, Listen – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)
-ENDS-
For Media Interviews:
IPAN spokesperson for FPA petition: Bevan Ramsden: 0418 697 528
IPAN Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow: 0403 611 815