Tag Archives: Iraq War Inquiry

Why an Iraq War Inquiry is more necessary than ever

By: AWPR | Posted in: Blog, Iraq war | 16 March, 2018 | 9:09 pm
16 Mar

US air strike on a suspected insurgent hideout at the edge of Fallujah, Iraq, 8 Nov 2004. Image: US Marine Corps via Wikimedia Commons

A flurry of activity was caused by last month’s comments by Greens parliamentarians Adam Bandt and Richard Di Natale over Liberal Senator Jim Molan. The ostensible reason for the attack on Molan was his sharing of two videos originating from a neo-Nazi far right group in the United Kingdom. Bandt, who later withdrew his remarks, called Molan a “coward” and said that Molan should be prosecuted for his service in the Iraq war. In the Senate, …

The Media, the Iraq War, and Fallujah

By: AWPR | Posted in: Blog, Iraq, Iraq war, Media | 22 February, 2018 | 2:01 pm
22 Feb

Rupert Murdoch and his newly appointed head of Fox News, former Republican adviser Roger Ailes, 1996

The Australian media continues to fail us badly over its coverage of the Middle East wars, terrorism, and the ongoing disaster of ISIS. That failure began with the invasion of Iraq. Unlike important overseas media, no Australian media has admitted to or apologised for its failure in the coverage of the Iraq war and its consequences. As is often the case, our media was embedded in the ADF in support of Coalition policy. The political class sticks together. News Corp media has been most …

STATEMENT on the death of Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser AC CH

By: AWPR | Posted in: Blog | 20 March, 2015 | 2:30 am

Death of Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser AC CH

On this 12th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Campaign for an Iraq War Inquiry/Australians for War Powers Reform expresses its deep sorrow at the news of the passing of Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser AC CH.

Mr Fraser was a foundation member of our movement, having attended in early 2012 a meeting in Melbourne which convened to consider how we might best campaign for the establishment of an independent inquiry into the decision-making process that led to Australia’s participation in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the relocation …

Letter to the Prime Minister, 13 March

By: AWPR | Posted in: Blog | 23 March, 2014 | 1:47 am

Below is the text of a letter sent to the Prime Minister on 13 March 2013, a few days ahead of the eleventh anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

Similar letters were sent to all Members and Senators in the Federal Parliament.

We will keep you posted on any substantive replies we receive.

Letter begins

13 March 2014

The Hon. Tony Abbott MP

Prime Minister of Australia

Parliament House

CANBERRA ACT 2001

Dear Mr Abbott,

As we approach another anniversary of the 20 March 2003 invasion of Iraq I write to express my concern that, eleven years after Australia participated …

Open letter to the Prime Minister-elect

By: AWPR | Posted in: Blog | 14 September, 2013 | 6:07 pm

 

Below is the text of an open letter to the Prime Minister-elect, the Hon. Tony Abbott MP, signed by me and a number of distinguished Australians who support CIWI’s cause, was published in today’s edition of The Age. The original may be viewed online at An open letter on war to the new PM.

BEGINS

Among the many big-picture items missing from Australia’s recent election campaign was foreign policy. While Australians were voting, the United States President was seeking US congressional and international approval to launch a punitive military action against the government of Syria, which would almost …

Reply from ALP National Secretariat

By: AWPR | Posted in: Blog | 27 August, 2013 | 5:37 pm

We have today received from the National Secretariat of the Australian Labor Party a reply to our letter of 13 August 2013 to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The full text is below:

Begins

23 August 2013

Mr Paul Barratt

President Iraq War Inquiry Group Inc

Suite 406, 1 Queens Road

Melbourne Vic 3004

Dear Mr Barratt

Thank you for your letter of 13 August regarding the Federal Labor Party’s policy on Iraq. As you know, the Howard Government’s decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003 was not supported by the Federal Labor Party in Opposition. That is why …

Letter to The Hon. Warren Truss MP

By: AWPR | Posted in: Blog | 13 August, 2013 | 5:28 pm

Dear Mr Truss

I write to you on behalf of the Campaign for an Iraq War Inquiry to ascertain The Nationals’ policy in the context of the current Federal Election campaign on several matters which are of central importance to our membership.

Our members and supporters would be interested to know your answers to the following questions:

  • Do you believe the Prime Minister should continue to have the authority to take Australia to war on her/his own?
  • Would you support a new bill requiring parliamentary debate and approval before the Australian Defence Force is deployed in overseas combat operations?
  • Do
    • …

    Letter to Senator Christine Milne

    By: AWPR | Posted in: Blog | 13 August, 2013 | 5:26 pm

    Dear Senator Milne

    I write to you on behalf of the Campaign for an Iraq War Inquiry to ascertain The Greens’ policy in the context of the current Federal Election campaign on several matters which are of central importance to our membership.

    Our members and supporters would be interested to know your answers to the following questions:

  • Do you believe the Prime Minister should continue to have the authority to take Australia to war on her/his own?
  • Would you support a new bill requiring parliamentary debate and approval before the Australian Defence Force is deployed in overseas combat operations?
  • Do
    • …

    Letter to The Hon. Tony Abbott MP

    By: AWPR | Posted in: Blog | 13 August, 2013 | 5:10 pm

    Dear Mr Abbott

    I write to you on behalf of the Campaign for an Iraq War Inquiry to ascertain the Liberal Party’s policy in the context of the current Federal Election campaign on several matters which are of central importance to our membership.

    Our members and supporters would be interested to know your answers to the following questions:

  • Do you believe the Prime Minister should continue to have the authority to take Australia to war on her/his own?
  • Would you support a new bill requiring parliamentary debate and approval before the Australian Defence Force is deployed in overseas combat operations?
    • …

    Letter to The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP

    By: AWPR | Posted in: Blog | 13 August, 2013 | 5:08 pm

    Dear Mr Rudd

    I write to you on behalf of the Campaign for an Iraq War Inquiry to ascertain the Australian Labor Party’s policy in the context of the current Federal Election campaign on several matters which are of central importance to our membership.

    Our members and supporters would be interested to know your answers to the following questions:

  • Do you believe the Prime Minister should continue to have the authority to take Australia to war on her/his own?
  • Would you support a new bill requiring parliamentary debate and approval before the Australian Defence Force is deployed in overseas combat
    • …