MAPW Experts on Australia and the Global Arms Trade
The Medical Association for the Prevention of War is a credible source on the Australian arms industry.
When I studied a Graduate Diploma in Peace Studies at La Trobe University we investigated arms, the fact that a person holds the gun and the question – is the problem the gun? or is the problem the person that holds it? Of course it is the way we think about defence, protection, others etc. How do we build peace in a world that is terrified of the imagined ‘other’. How de we de-escalate conflict when people refuse to speak to each other to resolve tensions or use diplomatic language to deflect from real problem solving? How do we investigate the drivers of arms and the need to arm up and embed an industry worth trillions. Of course when one arms the other arms up, this is what is termed the ‘arms race’. We saw this build up during the Cold War and today we see the arming of smaller groups paid to de-stabilise. Can we solve problems through weapons or through compassion and mutual understanding? Can we build bridges through learning about others and adapting world views to accommodate diversity? Can we see the real wealth of nations as projected through virtues, values and creative innovation? Can we reach a point where we realise another’s interests are the same as ours? Can we find ways to accommodate alternate views, alternate ways and find a middle ground to coexist in peace? The work of peace is challenging as it requires compromise, self reflection and sharing rather than winning at all costs.
Competition in our economic system rewards the winners not those who share. Can we find ways to develop societies to move from economic competition towards gross national happiness where we recognise happiness is the ultimate goal? How do we become active in what brings us happiness rather than entering industries that generate great unhappiness and destruction that serves no-one in the end. Is it about jobs or ethics? We are in times where we have at least a 100,000 nuclear weapons on the planet. We have the potential to blow up the planet at least 4 times or more now. We have the increasing privatisation of government whereby the voice of the public becomes quieter and quieter. Yet it is the 7 billion people on the planet who have a real interest in peace and prosperity as it is civilians that bare the brunt of warfare, 90% casualties. So how do we create the conditions to usher in a new transformative time of peace building and reconciliation globally. How do we awaken to our folly? Who are we in relation to this? What is Australia’s great strength? Arms or equality?
I recall some months ago that an Australian military flight was testing surveillance over the Philippines http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-23/australian-spy-planes-to-fly-over-philippines-in-is-fight/8645086 One of my colleagues on the Rotary Peace Program in Bangkok talked about the conflict in Mindanao refer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_the_Philippines
Do we create global stability through violence and force or do we find constructive ways to develop the human person in respect of universal values. I wrote REAL HOPE which is a values based peace, nonviolence and anti-bullying program designed to develop humanity. Refer http://schools.worldpeacefull.com/I taught this program as a clown as the humour and joy of clowns is what demonstrates and models humanity as positive, embracing, inclusive and non-judgemental. Unfortunately I didn’t get a foothold in schools as they were focused on technology and anti-bullying which says ‘no’ rather than working on the foundational values that build a balanced and functional human. That is not to say there are not great programs running, there are but as a society we haven’t valued the importance of developing values and ethics to really build a empowered society that can critically think and feel for others in a shared sense of empathy. In my view this is what is required if our world is to more than survive.
I interviewed Tilman Ruff the Co President of IPPNW many years ago on my radio program ‘Bridges to Peace’, it is gratifying to see he has dedicated his life to this subject, one that requires much understanding, discussion and action.
Note: MAPW is deeply concerned with the effects of the proliferation of armaments on peace and human security. 90% of civilian casualties are inflicted by small arms and civilians account for 80% of conflict casualties worldwide (Source: Global Issues website).
http://www.mapw.org.au/australian-issues/australias-arms-industry
Australia’s arms industry
Australia’s role in the global arms trade
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates the global trade in armaments to be worth $US50.593 billion in 2007. Australia is a willing participant in the export of armaments and defence-related goods to the world, and to our own region.
Australia’s exports
In the 2003/4 financial year, Australia’s defence exports amounted to over $593 million. The same year saw the export of over $104 million in “dual use” goods – goods not dedicated to, but which can still be used for, military purposes. Most defence exports are destined for North Americani and European buyers, but most dual-use exports go to Africa. In 2003/4, Australia exported more than $1,000,000 of dual-use goods to Zimbabwe.
Export statistics do not include the considerable value of military aid. In the 1970s, Australia provided several thousand assault rifles to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Constabulary (PNGDF). Since then gun crime, particularly in the Highland provinces, has escalated dramatically. Australian-made assault weapons are highly prized instruments of violence. Australian weapons were used by the PNGDF during the conflict in Bougainville – flowing to the Solomon Islands where Australian troops and police are currently deployed.
The PNGDF and PNG police remain major recipients and customers of Australian armaments. Considering the governance issues faced by these institutions, tight control over the arms industry is essential. Substantial steps have already been taken, but more is needed to further human rights and conflict resolution.
Australia’s export policy
Over the last three decades, Australian weapons exports have grown as a result of deliberate government policy.
Although exports are controlled, and a list of goods banned from export exists, the defence forces of 14 countries are able to buy restricted goods from Australia. Among these are the defence forces of Indonesia, Thailand, Fiji and the Philippines, all of which have been implicated in incidents of political violence, coups d’etat or human rights violations.
Exports of restricted goods can be authorised by the Minister, and have been authorised to states not on the list mentioned above, accused of using their armed forces in violation of human rights and security, such as Pakistan, Israel, Sri Lanka and Turkey (Defence Exports July-December 2006 provided to the Senate by Senator C. Ellison).
Who owns Australia’s arms industry?
The local arms industry used to be dominated by state-owned enterprises such as Australian Defence Industries (ADI), the sole purpose of which was to serve and supply the Australian armed forces. Because of the program of liberalisation, the sector is now dominated by private, often multinational, corporations. The former ADI is now owned by Thales Australia, the local branch of the French-based Thales Group.
A privatised military sector cannot be counted on to place national security, peace or human rights interests above the pursuit of profit. Ironically, a sales-driven arms industry is best served by the undermining of these very concerns.
MAPW and the arms trade
MAPW is deeply concerned with the effects of the proliferation of armaments on peace and human security. 90% of civilian casualties are inflicted by small arms and civilians account for 80% of conflict casualties worldwide (Source: Global Issues website).
The Association is opposed to this encouragement of armaments proliferation through a drive towards an export-oriented military industry and in 2008 was part of a coalition of groups who campaigned successfuly against the APDSE Arms Fair which had been planned to be held in Adelaide.
- See MAPW’s fact sheets on the global weapons trade
