Nuclear Weapons Convention: time for major parties to come on board
Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Friday 6th August 2010, 9:43am
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The Australian Greens call on the next Australian government to begin negotiations on an international Nuclear Weapons Convention (NWC) by no later than 2015, Australian Greens spokesperson on nuclear issues Senator Scott Ludlam said today.
“On the morning of the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, we must rededicate ourselves to the task of ridding the world of nuclear weapons.”
“The Greens believe Australia should contribute funding to the establishment of a Global Centre on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. A $3 million contribution from Australia will help build on the work of former Foreign Minister Gareth Evans in building consensus for practical measures to eliminate nuclear weapons.
“Australia played an important role in the leadup to the 2010 Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty review in New York – but then we went missing at the conference itself.
“The global voice for commencing an NWC is getting stronger by the day, with dozens of countries now committed. Australia must join this growing alliance. The next Prime Minister must commit Australia to the task.
“Hiroshima day is a time to reflect on the continued existence of tens of thousands of nuclear weapons, and the necessity of a binding international treaty to eliminate them once and for all.
“Kevin Rudd understood the need to rid the world of these weapons: we haven’t heard a word from Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott, and today is the day for them to speak out,” Senator Ludlam said.
Media Contact: Fernando de Freitas 0417 174 302
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