Defying moves towards a new treaty banning nuclear weapons, Bishop stated that "the stark reality today remains that as long as nuclear weapons exist, many countries, including Australia, will continue to rely on nuclear deterrence to help prevent nuclear attack or coercion".
The Australian government’s argument that it required the protection of a foreign power’s nuclear weapons is “a long-held belief that has gone unchallenged”. “Nuclear weapons undermine safety, they do not enhance it.”
Australia faces a moment of truth – are we serious about nuclear disarmament, or will we continue to oppose a treaty banning nuclear weapons?
The scientists then agreed to start testing the bones of dead Australian infants and children for radiation contamination. “As many bones as possible are to be obtained,” says DEFE 16/608. The bones would be crushed into a powder and sent to the UK for analysis along with the soil, animal samples and vegetation collected from the Australian testing sites.
"Instead of fuelling this arms race, Australian industry should be partnering with India's vibrant solar sector," Greens senator Scott Ludlum said in a statement.