Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN)
IPAN Patrons: Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe AO & Kellie Tranter Lawyer, Human Rights Activist
MEDIA RELEASE 16 March 2026
Media Interviews: Retired Army Major Cameron Leckie 0413 226 546
Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow M: 0403 611 815
Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow M: 0403 611 815
IPAN supports Australia’s decision not to send a naval ship to the Strait of Hormuz but calls on the Australian government to:
· Disengage and recall ADF assets to Australia
· Condemn this illegal and brutal US/Israeli war against Iran and Lebanon and continued starvation and killing of Gazans.
· Concentrate on the development of an independent, peaceful, self-reliant and sustainable Australia
The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) calls on the Australian government to condemn the illegal and brutal US/Israeli war being prosecuted against Iran and Lebanon and immediately withdraw all Australian Defence Force (ADF) assets from Iran and the surrounding areas.
IPAN supports the very recent announcement by Transport Minister Catherine King that Australia will not send a ship to the Strait of Hormuz after US President Trump called on all countries who receive fuel through the Strait of Hormuz to send naval support.
‘The US and Israel are the cause of the current crisis and devastation currently happening and no support should be provided to them,’ said Rtd Army Major Cameron Leckie.
‘IPAN is calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to pursue diplomatic negotiations.’
The unreliability of the United States towards its allies has been recently demonstrated by its diversion of missiles from the US which Australia has paid for being arbitrarily diverted to the US-Israeli war on Iran.
South Korea has been similarly and arbitrarily been dealt with by the US removing their Lockheed Martin produced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) Missile defence systems for US deployment in the Middle East.
‘United States bullying and contempt for its allies and flouting of international law makes any alliance with it untenable’, said Rtd Army Major Leckie.
US President Trump is threatening Spain with high tariffs in punishment for refusing to support his attack on Iran and has successfully threatened Mexico with a high tariff regime against its imports to the US if it didn’t cease supplying Venezuela with refined oil products. The US also continues its cruel economic blockade of Cuba by threatening any country that trades with Cuba.
‘No country is safe from this US/Israeli alliance of aggression. If Australia and other countries combined to oppose their illegal wars, they would have to take notice,’ said Retired Army Major Leckie.
People in the US are also losing faith in Trump and his illegal actions and wars. Similarly, Australians are wondering why Australia is continuing to hang on to US coat tails’, said Rtd Army Major Leckie
‘A good first step would be to cancel the AUKUS agreement for the nuclear-powered submarines which we wouldn’t get anyway on present indications, said Retired Army Major Leckie.
‘It is time for Australia’s political leadership to be courageous and disengage from US wars and the military alliance,’ he concluded. ‘We must concentrate on the development of an independent, peaceful, self-reliant and sustainable Australia and region, in cooperation with our neighbouring countries.’
ENDS
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Bio: Retired Army Major Cameron Leckie served 24 years in the Australian Army retiring with the rank of Major. As member of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals he served in a number of regimental and training appointments, concluding his service as the Executive Officer of the 1st Signal Regiment. He deployed to East Timor (Operation WARDEN), the Solomon Islands (Operation ANODE) and Sumatra (Operation SUMATRA ASSIST). Cameron is currently a PhD candidate at the
About IPAN: IPAN represent many organisations across Australia – community, faith and peace groups, trade unions – and concerned individuals aiming to build public dialogue and pressure for change to a truly independent foreign policy for Australia – one in which our government plays a positive role in solving international conflicts peacefully. www.ipan.org.au