AUKUS and International Law: Holding Power to Account

The day we remember our fallen should remind us all that peace is not a given, but a fragile goal that demands vigilance. On Remembrance Day, I raised concerns that go straight to the heart of peace and lawful conduct in our region. The recent troubling reports of US attacks on foreign-flagged vessels in international waters are more than headlines – they signal a chilling risk that could play out right here in Western Australia under the AUKUS partnership.

Trust but Verify: The Question on Compliance

As someone who has spent years diagnosing health from a clinical perspective, I know the importance of trust paired with vigilance. The question I posed to the government was simple yet critical: Have we been given any assurance from the federal government that US ships operating in WA as part of AUKUS will strictly follow international law? Or worse, could these vessels be given unchecked authority that might lead them to attack foreign vessels at will?

This is not mere bureaucratic nitpicking. When those entrusted with immense naval power operate without clear legal boundaries, it is our sovereignty and safety at risk. The reality is stark: unchecked military actions could lead to extrajudicial deaths and international tension – outcomes no sensible community wants to face in their backyard.

Accountability Isn't Optional

My follow-up demand was direct: Will our state leadership publicly condemn any unlawful actions by US troops or vessels stationed in our waters, committing to prosecute them fully under WA and Commonwealth law? If not, who will take responsibility for the consequences?

The response from the government was evasive, shifting responsibility to federal authorities and pointing out that foreign warships have visited WA for decades. But decades of visits do not absolve risk or silence the urgent question of legal compliance now, amid new defence partnerships with increased naval presence and potential operational autonomy.

It is a reminder to all those who value evidence, accountability, and rule of law that vigilance cannot be sacrificed for convenience or politics. While federal relations with the US are complex and delicate, Western Australians deserve clear answers and firm guarantees.

If you want to stay informed and dive deeper into how these issues affect our state, join me on my YouTube channel. It is a space where open dialogue and evidence-based policy take centre stage.

The Larger Picture: Law, Trust, and Our Collective Safety

The risks here are very real. Without strict adherence to international law, AUKUS could become a precarious experiment rather than a strategic partnership. For families worried about peace and safety, this is not abstract politics; it is the difference between calm nights and dangerous uncertainty.

My role is clear: to stand with the people of WA, demanding transparency and accountability from all governments so that trust is earned and peace preserved. Now is the time to act, not to deflect.

For those who want to read the full record of this important exchange in the Legislative Council, it is available in the official Hansard. If you believe in a future where our laws protect us all, I encourage you to join our movement at Legalise Cannabis WA. Together, we can demand the accountability and integrity our state deserves.