CAMPAIGN NEWS:
WA parliament discusses the nuclear weapon ban treaty
Several Labor members also reaffirmed federal Labor’s policy to join the treaty in government.
Please click below to view the video, and read highlights below.
Hon Matthew Swinbourn MLC, Labor
“Nuclear weapons are morally repugnant, indefensible, they are a continuing threat to humankind and the environment, Australia should ratify the treaty, as should all nuclear weapons states”
Hon Pierre Yang MLC, Labor
“The indiscriminate nature of atomic bombs make them an immoral and unethical weapon. From my experience in army days, there are many types of weapons, including landmines, that are prohibited, because of their indiscriminate nature and the unnecessary pain and suffering… I think all nations should sign up to this Treaty, should protect the one earth we have.”
Hon Alison Xamon MLC, Greens
“I think it is shameful that Australia has not yet signed the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition f Nuclear Weapons. I would ask every single member in this house to raise this with their federal counterparts and to push for a nuclear free world”
Hon Kyle McGinn MLC, Labor
“This is a massive issue for everybody in this world, not just for the leaders, this is something that everyone has to live with the ramifications. If that button is pushed by any of these countries, you may not have had a say in it, you may not have even known about it but you are definitely going to have to live through the consequences. And them consequences are dire.”
Hon Martin Pritchard MLC, Labor
“Because of all the risks involved in this, the TPNW is the way to go. The best way that Australia can impact in this area, on the safety of the world, is by signing up to this Treaty. I support this motion.”
Hon Dr Sally Talbot MLC, Labor
“The reality is quite simple, Australia must sign this Treaty, the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. I don’t know why we haven’t signed it yet, we must sign it, for some reason the Commonwealth Government is dragging its feet. The party to which I belong, the Australian Labor Party has committed to signing this UN Treaty the moment that we take government, and I’m very proud of that, and proud to be a member of the ALP with that commitment that Australia will become a signatory to the UN TPNW”.