Over the weekend WA Labor held its conference and an ICAN stall was there to talk with delegates about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Dozens of parliamentarians, unionists, delegates and Labor members stopped by to talk and hold ICAN’s Nobel Peace Prize medal in their hands.

Josh Wilson MP moved a motion, seconded by AMWU’s Steve McCartney, which unanimously passed. The text of the motion is below. WA Labor clearly backs the ban along with Victorian Labor, ACT Labor, Tasmanian Labor, Territory Labor, SA Labor and the federal Labor Party.

Thank you to the wonderful volunteers John, Glenys, Leigh and Judy for hosting the stall.

2nd October 2021

WA Labor

Notes the unacceptable risk posed by more than 13,000 nuclear weapons held between 9 countries. This risk is increased by policies that lower the threshold for use and massive spending on nuclear weapons, even during a global pandemic.
Notes the devastating humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons.
Welcomes the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on 22 January 2021, making nuclear weapons illegal under international law.
Commends the federal Australian Labor Party’s platform and policy position to sign and ratify the treaty in government, made in December 2018 and reaffirmed in March 2021.
Urges the Australian Government to commit Australia to attending the first meeting of states parties in Vienna in 2022.
Calls upon the current Australian Government to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons without delay.
Urges federal Labor to commit to consider, sign and ratify the Treaty in the first term of an elected Federal Labor Government.