Not all the way with the Donald

Thank you, Anne Summers. One aspect not mentioned, perhaps because there is a semblance of policy around, is the area of so-called defence. Bipartisan support for the United States alliance has been a troubling reality for many years, highlighted by the long-running toadying at Pine Gap, and more recently reinforced by the 2011 announcement that US marines would be in and out of Darwin, by the foolish purchase of the F-35 fighter jets and then the submarines – even more expense, and they’ll be obsolete before they’re built. What all this represents is interoperability with US forces and, sadly, Australia has form in blindly following the US into wars that are not in its interests. With The Donald in the White House, this is a perfect time to recalibrate Australia’s commitments to an unsound military alliance and to acknowledge that our foreign policy would be vastly improved by building good relationships with our neighbours. Bearing all that in mind, it is highly encouraging that at the ALP conference, Labor has agreed to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and to hold an inquiry into how Australia goes to war. Civil society in Australia has been calling for these sensible steps forward – being heard on these really important issues bodes well for our future.

– Jo Vallentine, Maylands, WA