The following is provided as a guide only to aid individuals and organisations in the formulation of their submissions in relation to each of the eight broad areas of the Inquiry.

  1. The costs and consequences of the US-Australia Alliance relating to
  2. Impact on First Nations People

 

  • Sovereignty matters
  • Self Determination
  • Land Rights, access: usage and projects
  • Cultural impacts
  • Social impacts
  • Economic and environmental implications
  • Involvement in the military

 

  1. Economic
  • The consequences and costs of Australia’s Defence Export Strategy, especially its plan to make Australia a top ten defence exporter.
  • The significant knowledge imbalances between defence officials and both politicians and voters, as well as the implications these imbalances have for economic accountability of defence programs.
  • The causes and consequences of cost overruns in defence procurement.
  • The lack of transparency and clarity of socially relevant economic information relating to the defence sector such as weapons export destinations.
  • The economic impact of the uncompetitive nature of defence contracts, particularly resulting from the constraints imposed by the US-Australia alliance.
  • The causes and consequences of the two-way revolving door between the defence sector and politics and industry.
  • The opportunity costs of defence spending and military activity involving Australia.
  • Alternatives to existing approaches and the economic implications of an independent foreign policy.

 

  1. Social and Community
  • The opportunity cost in relation to
  • Self-determination of First Peoples
  • Public health and education expenditure;
  • Social and community services expenditure – e.g. Newstart, public housing, child care and aged care;
  • Services for war veterans and returned soldiers – housing, financial, jobs, health
  • The impact on the lives and wellbeing of Australian service personnel and their families of wars of aggression – PTSD, homelessness etc.
  • Lack of genuine security for Australian people as a result of involvement in US-led Wars

 

  1. Environment and Climate Change
  • The impact on the environment of the First People’s land and culture – an absence of consultation and/or engagement with Indigenous people in areas of the land impacted by militarism which is closely connected with alliance compliance.
  • Military dependency on and large consumption of fossil fuel; major emitter of CO2;
  • Military contamination of land, water and air/contribution to greenhouse gases
  • Impact of radiation, depleted uranium
  • Destruction of habitat, impacts on loss of biodiversity
  1. Military and Defence
  • The impact of US bases and troop deployments in tying Australia to US strategic interests, including a nuclear war-fighting posture, and undermining Australian independence.
  • The implications of increasing interoperability between the ADF and US military, including joint wargaming and defence procurements and investments (such as the attack-class submarines, F-35 fighter jets, long-range rocket and missile systems) that are of questionable value for the defence of Australia.
  • The dangers of a growing military-industrial complex wedded to aggressive wars and contrary to the requirements of an Australian sovereign self-defence industry.
  • The impact on the lives and wellbeing of Australian service personnel and their families from participating in US-led expeditionary wars, including PTSD and homelessness.
  • The impact on peace, stability, the rule of law and the lives and wellbeing of civilians in foreign countries affected by Australian support and/or participation in US-led wars, sanctions and other coercive actions.

 

  1. Foreign Policy
  • The costs and benefits for Australia of the US Alliance
  • Effects of the Alliance on Australia’s relations with other countries and on Australia’s role in international organisations
  • Impacts of the Alliance on Australia’s sovereignty and independence in policy-making
  • American influence on Australians foreign policy, including the role of ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence-sharing, and by mainstream and social media

 

  1. Political (Including Democratic Rights)
  • The influence and involvement in Australia’s domestic and foreign policies, civil and democratic rights – the right to speak out, expose and report
  • Impacts on Australia’s sovereignty and independence to make decisions in the interest of Australian people
  • The influence of weapons corporations on governments and educational institutions, including on schools’ and universities’ curriculum

 

  1. Unions and Workers’ Rights
  • Workers bear the full physical and psychological damage of war
  • Weapons manufacturing industries and jobs dependent on endless wars of aggression and destruction.
  • Development and growth of alternative sustainable sovereign self-defence industries and secure jobs.

 

  1. Recommendations about the future of the US-Australia Alliance
    1. The priorities and future objectives of Australian foreign policy
    2. Proposed changes in relationships with other countries, including the United States
    3. The budgetary implications and opportunities of any proposed changes to the Alliance.
    4. Sustainable and humane alternatives to current defence industries’ dependency on endless wars of aggression

 

See also Inquiry Background Sheets