1. Return to independent foreign policy
End Australia’s foreign policy subservience to the USA and UK by asserting an independent foreign policy in Australia’s national interest. A truly independent Australia would oppose disastrous regime-change wars and the dangerous Anglo-American strategic escalation against China and Russia, and independently oppose the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, including through an arms embargo on Israel, without waiting for US permission; withdraw from the Five Eyes spying and foreign interference network; and prioritise developing good relations and economic cooperation with the nations in our region. This would include joining our regional neighbours and most of the rest of the world in participating in the Belt and Road Initiative to raise global living standards through infrastructure investments (which Australia initially welcomed before bowing to pressure from the USA); embracing the multi-polar world order that is now a reality; collaborating with the expanding BRICS partnership; and working with like-minded countries to support the “two-state solution” and promote peace between Israel and Palestine and their neighbours.
2. No war with China
Going along with dangerous US provocations against our largest trading partner that risk war is contrary to Australia’s national interest. Withdraw from the military arrangements and international partnerships locking Australia into the USA and UK’s agenda to confront China, and prioritise diplomacy to resolve tensions respectfully, starting with reiterating Australia’s One China Policy applied to the People’s Republic of China since 1972.
3. No AUKUS
A vast territory yet connected to no country by land, a small population yet concentrated in a few major cities, Australia’s unique defence challenges require unique defence strategy and capabilities. Not only is AUKUS unfit for purpose, but it also makes Australia a small piece in America’s military power to maintain the USA’s hegemony which is waning after decades of wars all over the world. The colossal waste of money on AUKUS not only gives us obsolete submarines paid for by us, crewed by us, but commanded by the USA, it also makes sure our defence technologies remain inferior to that of America’s for at least decades. The $368 billion could instead be spent on improving our economy, living standards, as well as developing defence expertise and technologies that lead to building truly sovereign capabilities that meet our unique challenges.
4. War powers reform — only Parliament declares war
Australia must learn from the mistakes of following the United States and Britain into one failed war after another, which, except for WWII, were not our business and not in our national interest. Renounce any more involvement including supply of weapons, ammunition, parts and money for disastrous regime-change wars, and reform the war powers to replace the prime minister’s prerogative to exercise the Governor-General’s power to unilaterally declare war, with a vote by Parliament on any military action that commits Australian military assets to fight overseas. Deploying ADF assets overseas must require approval by a majority of parliamentarians through a joint sitting of the Parliament. Details of the parliamentary debate can be confidential for national security reasons, but the voting record must be made public.
