Australian Quakers write to PM Expressing Concern About New Trilateral Defence Alliance

Australia Yearly Meeting Presiding Clerk, Ann Zubrick, has written to the Australian Prime Minister expressing concern about the proposal to create a new trilateral security relationship involving Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

"We are concerned that this plan has received no public attention so far, and gives the impression that a major decision about our foreign relations has been made without sufficient explanation as to the reasons and the implications for our role in international relations.

The principal focus of the announcement is the construction of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia’s defence forces. At the same time, it includes reference to the purchase or production of other enhanced military weapons such as cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, guided missiles and guided weapons manufacture. This raises questions about what impact such weapons will have on our relations with countries of our region, especially New Zealand and Indonesia, and on our capacity to advance the cause of nuclear disarmament."

Read the full letter here.

Sign a petition endorsed by IPAN (Independent and Peaceful Australia Network) here.

Image credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary Wickline