Some Conclusions

“In a society where fear is inculcated in citizens’ minds, few question the existence of a nefarious business like the arms trade. Moreover, the production and sale of arms is perfect from an economic perspective, as the supply of arms to one party invariably provokes arms races and so increases demand, while the widespread fear and insecurity thus created legitimises the permanent need for them.”[1]

The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act[2] states:

“51. Legislative powers of the Parliament

The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to:…

(vi) the naval and military defence of the Commonwealth and of the several States, and the control of the forces to execute and maintain the laws of the Commonwealth”

Usually called the “defence power” the High Court has considered, inter alia, that s.s.51(vi) extends to the preparation for war and against war, whether internal or external, and whether actually performed or only apprehended.[3]

Given the above discussion, one wonders whether the current activities of Australia’s exponentially increasing engagement - at taxpayers’ expense - with US arms supplier companies (and their investors) brought about by “apprehended” “threats” influenced, if not actually confected by those very same suppliers. Are they in fact Australia’s apprehensions, or those of the United States (or Taiwan)? Are they expenses actually “preparation for war” or “against war”? Whose war?

Some other questions:

· Are those activities for the “peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth” when they are potentially increasing the risk of Australia becoming a prime target of hostile forces - or are they, in fact, for the benefit of foreign investors?

· Are they for “the defence of the Commonwealth and of the several States” or are they for the preservation or enhancement of United States’ interests?

· Is Australia engaged in activities that “execute and maintain the laws of the Commonwealth” or in fact are those activities for other vested interests?

So, as advocated by the high-profile group of leading Labor luminaries mentioned above, “it is time for an independent inquiry by a team of economic, medical, technical and international relations professionals who have the credentials to fully examine just how Australia will meet its duty of care to its own citizens and indeed to peace in our region.”[4]

As former U.S. President Jimmy Carter once said, the US is "the most warlike nation in the history of the world," a result”, he said, of the US forcing other countries to "adopt our American principles."[5]

To end with, note this quote from another former U.S. President that perhaps predicted the future back in 1961: