Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee

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Click here to download a short summary you can give to your elected representatives. Or click here for the full version of the draft report.

Purpose

The Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee informs Quakers about key policies and may suggest or take action on their behalf. It also supports peace projects and collaboration with Regional Meetings.

Who We Are

The Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee (QPLC) advocates for peace, social justice, and sustainability in Australian policy and international relations. Guided by Quaker values of nonviolence, integrity, and equality, we seek to inform and engage decision-makers and the public on issues that affect human rights, disarmament, and the well-being of our planet.

Through research, analysis, and advocacy, QPLC monitors developments in government policies and global affairs, providing Watching Briefs and Action Alerts to highlight key concerns and opportunities for action. Our work is rooted in a commitment to building a just and peaceful world.

^{Left: Meeting with Independent MP Helen Haines (centre), joined by (L-R) Harold Wilkinson (QPLC Convenor), David Purnell (QPLC), Jessica Morrison (QPLC Peaceworker), and Ry Atkinson (Amnesty).}
^{Right: Meeting with Labor MP Susan Templeman (left), alongside (L-R) Harold Wilkinson (QPLC Convenor), David Purnell (QPLC), and Jessica Morrison (QPLC Peaceworker).}

Recent Briefs and Statements

Month of action for Palestine - Action Alert 25-2 (May 2025)

This action alert encourages Quakers to take up a pledge of a month of action for Palestine, commencing 15 May 2025.

Federal Election 2025 - Action Alert 25-1 (March 2025)

This action alert encourages Friends across Australia to make their voices heard by voting in the 2025 Federal Election and provides key information to help them do so.

Anti-Protest Laws in Australia - Watching Brief 25-2 (March 2025)

This updates the 2022 Watching Brief to reflect changes in Australian law since then.

Nuclear Weapons and Climate Change - Watching Brief 25-1 (February 2025)

Summary of recent developments in tackling climate change and de-nuclearisation.

Building Global Peace - Watching Brief 24-7 (November 2024)

This Brief outlines global moves to strengthen the institutions of peace and how Australia can contribute.

Militarisation of Education - Action Alert 24-2 (October 2024)

Information on current efforts to address the increasing militarisation of schools by various organisations.

AUKUS - Watching Brief 24-10 (October 2024)

Highlighting further concerns Quakers have about the emergence of the AUKUS trilateral military alliance between Australia, the US and UK.

Archived documents

-- Includes briefings on issues such as gun control, freedom of speech, national security laws, treatment of refugee children in detention, the South China Sea conflict, reflections on Anzac Day, and more.