MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11 July 2024
- As tensions between the US and China continue to build, these latest war exercises appear clearly aimed at a potential military conflict with China
- Australian support for a US war on China would be risky for our economy and security
- RIMPAC involves Australia in exercises which include Israel, who is subject to International Court of Justice orders based on Atrocity Crimes in Gaza
- Australia must heed the call of Pacific leaders as the escalating climate emergency is their biggest security threat – and war exercises only exacerbate this
- Australia should be working with its Pacific neighbours for peace and security, not supporting US efforts for domination
Participating in RIMPAC and Pitch Black is not in Australia’s interests – and IPAN urges the Australian Government to end its involvement in both activities.
The annual Operation Pitch Black 24 air exercises in the Northern Territory will take place, from 12 July, many kilometres from Hawai’i during RIMPAC which began on 27 June, but both exercises are designed to make the ADF and USA forces interoperable for future battles.
“The biennial RIMPAC air and sea military exercises in the Hawai’ian waters and the upcoming Pitch Black exercises are occurring amidst the growing tensions between the USA and China”, stated Mr Justin Tutty spokesperson for the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN).
“All the indications are that these exercises are aimed at a potential military conflict with China”.
“Australia’s military support for USA war plans aimed at China represent an economic risk for our country”, stated Mr Tutty.
China is our major trading partner and a war against them would mean an end to trade. Imports would cease, jobs would be lost, and there would be an economic catastrophe far worse than during COVID 19.
A missile attack from China on US installations such as Pine Gap, the North West Cape Naval Communication Station and RAAF Tindal where B52 bombers are to be stationed cannot be ruled out
“Australia’s increasing military cooperation with the USA war preparations is not in our people’s best
interests” said Mr Tutty “but it is also not overly surprising given the developments with AUKUS”.
The AUKUS agreement was signed in secrecy by the Liberal National Party when in Government and rubber stamped by Labor without parliamentary debate – which has exemplified the subsuming of Australian policies into those of foreign governments.
“We in Australia need to ask ourselves if working so closely with the US, and the UK, on foreign policy is really what we want.”
“Australia’s participation in RIMPAC has our forces exercising alongside the IDF, who remain subject to International Court of Justice orders based on Atrocity Crimes in Gaza.”
“In addition, environmental damage from RIMPAC will be huge. It is time to heed the call of Pacific leaders, who have repeatedly stated that the escalating climate emergency is the single biggest security threat to the region”, stated Mr Tutty.
The effect of 40 surface ships three submarines, 14 national land forces and over 150 aircraft ‘parading’ through RIMPAC will result in mass deaths of already threatened marine life.
“Now is the time for Australia to stand as an independent nation and work with peoples around the world to address the existential threats of climate change and nuclear war and not prepare for more war”, stated Mr Tutty.
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Bio: Justin Tutty is a Darwin-based anti-nuclear activist and founding member of IPAN
This Saturday, Justin Tutty will be speaking at an international Zoom Webinar
Saturday 13 July 2024, 10.30 am AEST
Why is the Pacific being prepared for War
For Media Interviews: M: Justin Tutty 0424 028 741
Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow M: 0403 611 815
EXERCISE PTICH BLACK is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It takes place primarily in Northern Australia, specifically at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal. The aim of this exercise is to practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat in a simulated war environment “Australia has no place in RIMPAC’s full-scale combat assaults on land and sea, off the off the coast of Hawai’i. Operation Pitch Black Darwin and Tindal 2024 is the largest in its 43-year history, with 20 participating nations, over 140 aircraft, and around 4435 personnel
THE RIM OF THE PACIFIC EXERCISE (RIMPAC) is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. Held biennially during June and July of even-numbered years in Honolulu, Hawaii, RIMPAC brings together naval forces from various countries to engage in cooperative training and enhance maritime security. Participants include the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, England, Japan. The exercise aims to foster and sustain relationships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2024 has seen 1600 ADF joined 25000 personnel from 29 nations conducting a series of full-scale combat assaults on land and sea.
Note: IPAN comprises individual members and a network of around 50 organisations www.ipan.org.au