Ahead of the Australian Labor Party National Conference in Adelaide, a cross-party group of ALP, Greens and Independent federal parliamentarians have united in calling on the Albanese government to sign and ratify the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

In a video released today, members of the Parliamentary Friends of the TPNW highlighted the ongoing environmental and humanitarian devastation inflicted on First Nations, Pacific, and veteran communities by nuclear weapons testing. They stated that Australia has a profound responsibility to stand in solidarity with frontline survivors and ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again.

“In a time of grave conflict and uncertainty around the world, like-minded governments must take concerted action against nuclear proliferation,” stated Helen Haines, Independent member for Indi.

The TPNW is “a landmark agreement that is providing much needed momentum towards the abolition of humanity’s most dangerous invention,” stated Josh Wilson, Labor Member for Fremantle. “We welcome Australia’s active engagement with the TPNW process and we’re proud of Australia’s long-standing and resolute commitment to a world without nuclear weapons.”

“Our work is supported by a majority of federal parliamentarians representing Australia’s rich and diverse communities,” stated Mark Dreyfus, Labor Member for Isaacs.

“The treaty has given countries and citizens hope and a promising new pathway towards the abolition of these weapons,” stated Senator Jordon Steele-John, federal Greens member for Western Australia. 

ICAN Australia welcomed the statements and backed calls for the government to listen to its own parliamentary ranks by signing the TPNW within this parliamentary term.

“Seeing this extraordinary cross-party unity underscores both the urgency of this issue and the clear opportunity the ALP National Conference presents,” said Janet Craven, Director at ICAN Australia. “After eight years of talking about signing and engaging as an observer state, the Albanese Government must honour its own commitment and take decisive steps toward joining the Treaty.” 

About the Parliamentary Friends of TPNW – Parliamentary Friends of the TPNW is a forum for federal parliamentarians to meet and interact with nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation advocates on matters relating to the TPNW and to discuss ways to ensure the Treaty’s success into the future. The group was launched during the 46th Parliament in June 2020, co-chaired by Ged Kearney MP (Australian Labor Party), Ken O’Dowd MP (National Party) and Senator Jordon Steele-John (Australian Greens). Current members included in the video are:

• Josh Wilson MP (Labor Member for Fremantle and current co-chair)
• Senator Steph Hodgins-May (Greens Senator for Victoria)
• Dr Helen Haines MP (Independent Member for Indi and current co-chair)
• Renee Coffey MP (Labor Member for Griffith)
• Louise Miller-Frost MP (Labor Member for Boothby)
• Mark Dreyfus KC, MP (Labor Member for Isaacs)
• Senator Jordon Steele-John (Greens Senator for Western Australia)
• Nicolette Boele MP (Independent Member for Bradfield)
• Tania Lawrence MP (Labor Member for Hasluck)
• Matt Smith MP (Labor Member for Leichhardt)
• Senator David Shoebridge (Greens Senator for New South Wales and current co-chair)
• Senator Lisa Darmanin (Labor Senator for Victoria)
• Sharon Claydon MP (Labor Member for Newcastle)
• Alison Byrnes MP (Labor Member for Cunningham)
• Senator Charlotte Walker (Labor Senator for South Australia)
• Susan Templeman MP (Labor Member for Macquarie)
• Dr Andrew Leigh MP (Labor Member for Fenner)