- The US is establishing Australia as a proxy in a war against China
- Prime Minister Albanese must stand up to the US and say NO to nuclear-capable B-52 bombers stationed on our territory.
- Australia must stay out of any US plans for a war against China
As revealed by the ABC in an investigative report on 31 October 2022, the United States has been secretly planning to station six, B-52 long range bombers in the NT, each capable of carrying conventional or nuclear payloads. This has sparked outrage by IPAN, the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network.
Taken together with massive jet fuel reserves under construction at East Arm in Darwin, the lengthening runways at Air Base Tindal suitable for long-range bombers, and stationing of greater numbers of US Marines in the NT, “it is clear the US is establishing Australia as a base from which to wage war against China over Taiwan”, said IPAN’s spokesperson, Dr Vince Scappatura.
“We reject Australia becoming a proxy in such a war and bearing the terrible consequences.”
Australia has a proud history working for the elimination of nuclear weapons and currently stands on the cusp of signing and ratifying the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which entered into force under international law in 2019.
The deployment of nuclear capable B-52 bombers to our territory could prove to be a significant obstacle to Australia joining the Treaty, which the Australian Labor Party promised to do in a pre-election commitment.
The ABC report quotes Professor Richard Tanter as saying, “If a conflict broke out between the US and China, Pine Gap would play a hugely significant role, particularly around missile defence systems.”
Emeritus Professor Paul Dibb is also reported as saying, “If it looked as though that crisis was going nuclear, China may want to take out Pine Gap as being the ears and eyes of America’s capability.”
“All Australians need to seriously ponder the question, do we want to be a nuclear target in a futile war between superpowers”, says Scappatura.
IPAN urges the Australian Government to heed the Public Call for Peace by 900 individuals and 90 organisations as published in a newspaper advertisement last month. The government must announce emphatically that Australia will not be involved in a war against China, that Australian territory will not be used as a base for that purpose, and to cease the deployment of US force-projection assets in the NT forthwith.
All Australians have an interest in peace and security for themselves and for future generations. |
