Viewing articles in Portfolio:

Foreign Affairs

Filter Articles

Greens say unity will combat terror in the Middle East and at home

Greens Leader Christine Milne has called on Australians to stand together against terrorism threats on home soil, saying unity, not war, will deliver lasting peace.

"The best way to keep Australians safe is to bring them together, not blindly follow the US into an unwinnable war in the Middle East," said Senator Milne.

"Are we going to another war in the Middle East because the terror alert has been raised, or the other way around?

Read more

PM Abbott should level with Aussie troops

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says Tony Abbott should level with the men and women of Australia's Defence Force when he farewells them tomorrow on an open-ended mission to Iraq.

"When you ask young men and women to put their lives on the line, you should be honest enough to tell them that you're committing them to war," said Senator Milne.

"This has been mission creep from the start. Australia is getting itself into an open-ended war.

Read more

Greens say engaging in war helps drive extremism at home

The Australian Greens accept the advice of ASIO on threats to Australia but say we cannot ignore the impact of military engagement in Iraq and the Middle East in increasing the risk at home. Back in 2004, Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said Australia was at increased risk because of our involvement in the Iraq war, and Greens Leader Christine Milne says the same applies now.

"We cannot bring Australians together and combat extremism at home by blindly following the USA into yet another Iraq war," said Senator Milne.

Read more

Abbott government writes blank cheque to US

Greens Leader Christine Milne says Australia is witnessing mission creep in action, as the Foreign Minister says 'no boots on the ground,' but commits to joining an expanded military engagement in Iraq as soon as a formal request is made.

"Julie Bishop has written a blank cheque, telling the US it only needs to say the word and Australia will join in. But join in what?

"How long will military engagement in Iraq go on? What is the objective? Do we have any hope of achieving it?

Read more

Greens urge Minister Bishop to speak up

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne has written to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, urging her to publicly condemn a massive land grab in the West Bank.

"Israel's announcement that it has appropriated nearly 1000 acres of land in the West Bank is deeply concerning," said Senator Milne.

"It is claimed to be the biggest land-seizure in 30 years and puts at risk the recent ceasefire agreement, damaging the potential for a long-term resolution of the conflict.

Read more