MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE 9th March 2023
Peace Not War
- IPAN denounces recent rabid media war propaganda
- Call for all people who want peace to mobilise and force the Australian Government off path to war
The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) believe the recent blatant war propaganda published by the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne Age under the title of “Red Alert” and similar propaganda by Murdoch’s Sky News’ hour-long Special, titled “Are we ready?”, represent an appalling misuse of the media ownership.
Such media is clearly intended to create fear which it is not in any way justified by facts and has been done so in order to create support for a heavy increase in military spending in preparation for joining the United States in a war against China, alarmingly predicted to occur within the next three years.
Going to war with the United States against China over Taiwan is not Australia’s business, nor in its interests. As former PM Paul Keating has stated, “Taiwan is not of strategic value to Australia”. Taiwan is a province of China, recognised by the United Nations as such and the relationship between Beijing and Taiwan is a matter to be resolved between Beijing and Taiwan internally without external interference and, hopefully, peacefully.
“Australia’s involvement in a U.S. war against China would be a catastrophic disaster for the Australian people”, stated IPAN Spokesperson Dr Alison Broinowski.
Hugh White, a respected defence strategist says, servicewomen and servicemen losses in the war would exceed those losses in the Vietnam and Korean Wars.
In addition, with 90% of Australia’s fuel supplies imported and the war disrupting this supply, transport would be hit heavily and trucking of essentials including food, stopped.
With 70% of everyday items (apart from food) imported from China, the import of such items would cease, resulting in empty shops.
Essential imported medical supplies would be scarce, if available at all and the situation would be far worse than the recent pandemic.
Exports to China would cease and the economy would face a severe down- turn, with substantial job losses.
Community division would be stimulated with an upsurge of racism directed at any who have Asian features and that is 3 million Australians.
Additionally, the massive increase in military expenditure diverts spending from urgent community needs such as bringing our hospitals ‘up to scratch’, which according to the Australian Medical Association would require $20 billion. This is apart from the urgent need for affordable housing, increased resourcing of education and addressing the impact of climate change.
Why should Australians suffer catastrophically for the United States to retain dominance, economically and militarily in the Indo-Pacific”,said Dr Broinowski.
IPAN calls on all Australians who want peace to unite and mobilise to force the Australian Government off this path to war.
“We need to assert our independence and embrace peace to address our many internal social issues and issues in our region with the promotion of peaceful and mutually beneficial relations with all our neighbours”, said Dr Broinowski.
Media Interviews: Dr Alison Broinowski 0422 608 580; Media Liaison: Kathryn Kelly 0417 269 984
Bio: Dr Alison Broinowki: Formerly an Australian diplomat, Alison is the author or editor of 14 books about Australia’s dealings with the world, Asian countries in particular. Alison is a visiting Fellow, Coral Bell School, ANU; Vice President, Australians for War Powers Reform. |
