Media Release
Sending troops, missiles and aircraft to the Middle East is a dangerous decision by the Albanese government that was made without any transparency or accountability.
“Australia is now involved in an expanding and illegal war and we are putting ADF personnel in unnecessary danger,” said Andrew Bartlett, former Senator and President of the civil society group Australians for War Powers Reform.
“As numerous experts have stated, this war, started by Trump and Netanyahu is a blatant breach of international law.
Why are we getting involved in this dangerous conflict which has no clear aims and no clear strategy for the future?
Have we learnt nothing from our involvement in the disastrous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which killed millions of people?
Today’s decision should have gone to parliament for a proper debate.
All of our elected representatives should have been consulted and the government’s rationale properly scrutinised.
In our view the parliament should now set aside time immediately, to debate this undemocratic decision.
In 2026 the John Howard style ‘captain’s call’ is not acceptable. The Australian community demands full transparency and accountability for these life and death decisions”
