This letter was sent by AWPR on 18 Sept 2026 and relates to this campaign: www.quakersaustralia.org.au/arms
Dear Minister
I write on behalf of Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR).
Our organisation is deeply concerned about Australia’s defence export system and in particular the inadequate way it is publicly reported.
We understand that the annual Arms Trade Treaty Monitor report has just designated Australia’s report to the Arms Trade Treaty as “not meaningfully transparent”.
We note that the reports of the UK, and many other European Countries were not given this negative designation.
This is particularly concerning given the extensive public disquiet about military exports to Israel and the potential use of defence exports in the civil war in Yemen.
As outlined in previous correspondence we are also alarmed about suggestions that Australian equipment could be ending up in Sudan, via the UAE.
Can we have any confidence that Australian equipment is not being diverted from the UAE to this conflict where so many civilians have been slaughtered?
Transparency is a vital safeguard to protect Australian exports from being used to commit serious violations of international law. It is also important for public accountability.
Australia has a legal and ethical obligation to ensure its military trade does not facilitate human rights abuses. The current system does not provide a clear picture of Australia’s exports, so the public can not feel confident that Australia is meeting its obligations.
Last year we joined 63 other civil society groups in calling for a parliamentary review into military control systems. We are disappointed that this hasn’t occurred.
We hope that Australia would consider models of international best practice to strengthen our safeguard systems.
This would include public reporting of actual exports, with a clear indication of the destination and source of every reported transfer broken down by specific weapon type and the value of these exports, as well as substantive end-use monitoring.
In an effort to help rebuild public trust, we ask the Labor Government to support a parliamentary review of the military trade system.
We look forward to hearing from you in regard to this matter.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Bartlett
President
Australians for War Powers Reform
