Login
iscover
Participating in exercises RIMPAC and Pitch Black is not in Australia’s interests, according to recent statements from Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN).
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
IPAN urges the Australian government to end its involvement in both activities and bolster efforts to work with its Pacific neighbours for peace and security, not supporting US efforts for domination, according to the group.
RIMPAC involves Australia in exercises which include Israel, which is subject to International Court of Justice orders based on atrocity crimes in Gaza. In addition, as tensions between the US and China continue to build, these latest war exercises appear clearly aimed at a potential military conflict with China – IPAN said. Australian support for a US war on China would be risky for our economy and security.
The annual Operation Pitch Black 24 air exercises in the Northern Territory will take place from 12 July, many kilometres from Hawaii during RIMPAC which began on 27 June, but both exercises are designed to make the ADF and USA forces interoperable for future battles.
“The biennial RIMPAC air and sea military exercises in the Hawaiian waters and the upcoming Pitch Black exercises are occurring amidst the growing tensions between the USA and China”, said Justin Tutty, spokesperson for IPAN.
“All the indications are that these exercises are aimed at a potential military conflict with China.
“Australia’s military support for USA war plans aimed at China represent an economic risk for our country", stated Tutty.
China is our major trading partner and a war against them would mean an end to trade. Imports would cease, jobs would be lost, and there would be an economic catastrophe far worse than during COVID 19, according to IPAN.
A missile attack from China on US installations such as Pine Gap, the North West Cape Naval Communication Station and RAAF Tindal where B52 bombers are to be stationed cannot be ruled out.
“Australia’s increasing military cooperation with the USA war preparations is not in our people’s best interests,” said Tutty.
“But it is also not overly surprising given the developments with AUKUS.”
The AUKUS agreement was signed in secrecy by the Liberal National Party when in government and rubber-stamped by Labor without parliamentary debate, which has exemplified the subsuming of Australian policies into those of foreign governments.
“We in Australia need to ask ourselves if working so closely with the US, and the UK, on foreign policy is really what we want.
“Australia’s participation in RIMPAC has our forces exercising alongside the IDF, who remain subject to International Court of Justice orders based on atrocity crimes in Gaza.
“In addition, environmental damage from RIMPAC will be huge. It is time to heed the call of Pacific leaders, who have repeatedly stated that the escalating climate emergency is the single biggest security threat to the region”, stated Tutty.
The effect of 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces and over 150 aircraft “parading” through RIMPAC will result in mass deaths of already threatened marine life.
“Now is the time for Australia to stand as an independent nation and work with peoples around the world to address the existential threats of climate change and nuclear war and not prepare for more war,” stated Tutty.
