Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I'd just like to say that this chamber has been debating this issue for nearly 40 years. The Australian Democrats first introduced a bill like this one, the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020, back in 1985 and again in 1988. It was actually previous Greens senator Andrew Bartlett, who was a Democrats senator, who led that charge back in the day. I would also like to acknowledge former Greens senator Scott Ludlam, who introduced a very similar bill in 2008 around all the heat of the Iraq war. Senator Ludlam again introduced the bill in 2017 following the Chilcot review in the UK, a chilling account of how the UK went to war, just like Australia, with the wrong information and completely hoodwinked their people.

I'd like to acknowledge Senator Steele-John for the work that he's done. He also introduced a similar bill in 2021 and has done considerable work to the time that Senator Shoebridge has introduced this bill. This has been a long-running debate, and it's not going to go away. I'd like to acknowledge the Australians for War Powers Reform and the amazing people there that have been driving this now for many years as well as IPAN and other community groups. I acknowledge Jo Vallentine and the so many people who refuse to give up until we get democratic input into what is arguably the most important decision any politician can make. That is sending its citizens to war.

Right now Australians are feeling very frustrated and very helpless. As they go to the petrol bowsers and the petrol has run out, as farmers can't get access to fertiliser, as Australians are looking at the skyrocketing prices of groceries and as interest rates go up, they are feeling helpless because they are pawns in a game. They are pawns in a game that has been rigged by powerful men with their hands on the levers making billions of dollars. This is what frustrates people. They feel helpless. At least their elected representatives can have a say on their behalf if we get a war powers reform bill through. At least then it's on the conscience of each and every MP and senator.