Syria

Government must rule out being part of any new Syria air strikes

Peter Whish-Wilson 16 Apr 2018

Greens Defence spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson has called upon the Government to rule out any future military involvement in Syrian air strikes.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “Australia’s interests are not served by reflexively joining in any illegal military action in Syria.

“We have reached a point in Australia where decisions to drop bombs in a country that most Australians couldn’t locate on a world map, has inexplicably become normalised.

Greens express grave concern over air strikes in Syria

Richard Di Natale 14 Apr 2018

Foreign Affairs

The Australian Greens today expressed grave concern over the decision of the US, UK and French Governments to launch strikes against targets in Syria. Greens Leader Senator Richard Di Natale reiterated the Greens' call for the Australian Government to rethink the US alliance.

“The violence and suffering in Syria is appalling, and the use of chemical weapons is an abomination," Senator Di Natale said.

"But we don’t need a barrage of missiles. This action risks dangerous escalation in a very complex and volatile war.

Syrian air strikes: PM Abbott throws Australia onto the wrong side of history

Scott Ludlam 9 Sep 2015

Foreign Affairs

Home Affairs, Immigration, Citizenship & Multicultural Affairs

The Australian Greens have condemned the Abbott Government's decision to commence airstrikes in Syria, warning it will worsen the refugee crisis and aggravate extremism.

"At a time when our community is desperate to show compassion to people fleeing war in Syria, Tony Abbott is dropping bombs," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

"I'm so proud of the way Australians have told the government loud and clear that we are strong enough to offer protection to people seeking refuge from war.

Greens call for emergency intake of 20,000 Syrian refugees

Richard Di Natale 5 Sep 2015

Home Affairs, Immigration, Citizenship & Multicultural Affairs

Australian Greens Leader Richard Di Natale is calling on the Australian government to initiate an emergency intake of 20,000 refugees fleeing sectarian violence in Syria's ongoing civil war, where over 250,000 men, women and children have already died.

"Four million people are fleeing war in Syria. Two million of those are children. To welcome 20,000 of them into our community would be such an honourable and dignified response from Australia," Senator Di Natale said.

Parliament should decide on Syria bombing, not Abbott or US

Richard Di Natale 26 Aug 2015

Foreign Affairs

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale says it shouldn't be up to Tony Abbott or the United States to decide if Australia will join air strikes in Syria.

"Australia needs to have its own independent foreign policy, and the Parliament should decide whether or not we send Australians into harm's way," Senator Di Natale said.

"Ultimately it doesn't matter if the request to bomb Syria came from Mr Abbott or the US - the only way to be sure that political self-interest doesn't determine whether our troops are put in danger is for the Parliament to decide.

Greens say engaging in war helps drive extremism at home

Christine Milne 12 Sep 2014

Foreign Affairs

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.