CAMPAIGN NEWS:
Pacific Voices call for urgent signature of TPNW in Canberra commemorating 80 years of nuclear harm in the region
Linked By Pacific Currents, United Against Nuclear Harm
80 years on from the first of some 300 nuclear explosions conducted in the Pacific, the impact on the fragile ecology of the region and the health and mental well-being of its peoples has been profound and long-lasting. The ‘testing’ on First Nations land in Australia at Maralinga, Emu Field and the Monte Bello Islands, and across the Pacific, including in the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Mā’ohi Nui (French Occupied Polynesia) has left behind radioactive legacies felt far beyond borders.
ICAN Australia supported a delegation of Pacific and Australian nuclear survivors and advocates in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne this week to shine a light on the history and intergenerational impacts of nuclear ‘testing’ in the Pacific region, including here in Australia.
Special thanks to The Pacific Conference of Churches, the Fiji Nuclear Veterans and Families Association, the Marshall Islands Student Association, the Quakers, the Nuclear Truth Project and the Mountain Air Foundation.
Together, we welcomed nuclear-impacted communities from the Pacific and Australia for a series of events which highlighted pathways towards nuclear justice in the region and call for a future that is decolonised, demilitarised, denuclearised and decarbonised.
The delegation shared expert diverse perspectives of the enduring legacy of nuclear weapons in the region, and the iterconnected risks faced by communities due to climate change and a increased militarisation in the region.
Meet the Delegation:
Samuel Barton is the President of the Marshall Islands Student Association (MISA), at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Fiji, where he is in his final year studying law. Samuel was a lead organiser of the Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day event at University of the South Pacific this year.
Merewalesi Tuilau is a rights activist, facilitator and a leader from Fiji. Her advocacy on self-determination, nuclear, and ocean issues comes from over 10 years of engagement with Pacific agencies and governments within regional civil society organisations, movements and International organisations.
Frances Namoumou is a Pacific climate justice advocate, a Methodist, and an Indigenous Fijian (i-taukei) woman whose work bridges faith, gender justice, peacebuilding, and ecological stewardship across local, regional, and global spaces.
Rev. James Bhagwan is an ordained minister, writer, preacher and regional advocate. His work is shaped by the Pacific’s experience of colonialism, militarisation and environmental harm.
Karina Lester is a Yankunytjatjara Anangu woman from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY Lands) in the far northwest of South Australia. Karina is an ICAN Ambassador sharing the impacts of the British Nuclear Tests in the 1950’s – 1960’s on people and country.
Maxine Goodwin is the daughter of an Australin nuclear veteran. In 1952, Maxine’s father, a Royal Australian Air Force radio technician, was deployed to Onslow, Western Australia, for Operation Hurricane—the first British atomic test in Australia.
Parliamentary Commemorations:
To mark two these two solemn anniversaries of nuclear testing in the Pacific region Susan Templeman MP, Labor Member for Macquarie and member of the Parliamentary Friends of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), moved a motion in the Federation Chamber in the House of Representatives.
Speaking to the motion Ms Templeman highlighted the shared histories of nuclear testing in the Pacific region, including in Australia, and the significant leadership of Pacific Island Nations in breathing new life into disarmament endeavours with their early embrace of the TPNW.
The motion was also spoken to by Michael McCormack MP -Nationals Member for Riverina, Matt Smith MP – Labor Member for Leichhardt, Helen Haines – Independent Member for Indi, and Joanne Ryan MP – Labor Member for Lalor.
Nicolette Boele MP, Independent Member for Bradfield also asked a question in Question time from Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles asking when Australia will sign the TPNW.
The Parliamentary Friends of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons hosted two events at Australian Parliament House: A panel event with Members, Senators and Parliamentary Staff, and a well attended Vigil on the Parliamentary Lawns on the 80th Anniversary of the first US nuclear detonation at Bikini Atoll.
Pacific and Australian nuclear survivors and nuclear justice advocates at Parliament House alongside Parliamentarians and members of the public. Credit: Jesse Boylan.
Media Coverage:
The visit was widely reported in Australian media. From local radio, to a prime time spot on ABC Radio National, the demands for nuclear justice and were also included in a wide array of print and online media across the continent. Some highlights were:
- Marshall Islands still feeling the effects of cold war nuclear testing, Program: Anti-nuclear activists descend on Canberra 80 years on from Bikini tests — Pacific Beat, Kyle Evans — Wed 1 Jul 2026.
- 3CR Wednesday Breakfast, Producer: Sonia — 1 July 2026.
- ABC 666 Canberra Afternoons with Alice Matthews – Karina Lester & Samuel Barton on the Marshall Islands anniversary and Pacific nuclear testing legacies — 1 July 2026
- ‘Jellyfish babies’ and the treaty Australia won’t sign – AAP, Will Nicholas — Jul 1, 2026.
- ABC The Radio National Hour with Fran Kelly, Wed 1 Jul 2026.
- 3CR Thursday Breakfast with Mere and Samuel, Producer: Priya — 2 July 2026.
- Pacific nuclear survivors urge Australia to sign and ratify UN treaty banning nuclear weapons ahead of key conference – Andrew Mathieson, NIT — July 3, 2026.
- Pacific Beat, Solomons PM wants regional security agreement, 03 July 2026.
- USP, Student Carries Marshallese Voices in Call for Nuclear Justice – 06 July 2026.
- Activists urge Australia to sign treaty to ban nuclear weapons – Kyle Evans, ABC — 07 July 2026.
- Stop firing missiles in our ocean region – Pacific reacts to China test, Johnny Blades, Radio New Zealand, 08 July 2026.
- 3CR Asia Pacific Currents – interview with Frances Namoumou and Samuel Barton
- 3CR Tuesday Breakfast. 14 July 2026.
We also hosted Press conference at Australian Parliament House with Members of the Parliamentary Friends of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Senator David Shoebridge and Andrew Wilkie MP. Watch it below.
Public Events and Vigils:
We were supported by ICAN partner organisations and community groups across Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne to organise a series of public events and vigils to commemorate the anniversaries and to share the lived experiences and demands of the delegation with a wide public audience. Continuing to build solidarity across the peace, faith, climate and social justice movements our event supporters throughout the week included:
- Community and Public Sector Union
- Friends of the Earth Melbourne
- Greenpeace Australia Pacific
- Jubilee Australia
- Maritime Union of Australia
- Micah Australia
- Medical Association for the Prevention of War
- National Council of Churches
- Nuclear Free & Independent Pacific
- Nuclear Justice Project
- Sydney Peace Foundation
- Uniting Church in Australia – Vic/Tas
- Uniting Church in Australia – NSW/ACT
- Victorian Council of Churches
- Victorian Trades Hall Council
Gallery:
