Quakers question defence exports and call for transparency

Quakers seek a world without war. We are called to build a just and peaceful Australia—one that upholds human rights and leads by example in the international community. Our Quaker testimony compels us to “take away the occasion of war.” That begins with transparency, accountability, and refusing to profit from harm.

Stirred by reports that Australia’s military trade is negligently opaque, the Quakers Australia Peace & Legislation Committee (QPLC) has been undertaking an investigation asking: Is our country complicit in a trade that enables violence and repression? And what can we do to change it?

Their findings reveal that, despite Australia’s historic leadership in the formation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), current practices fall short of basic accountability standards and global best practice. While Australia champions peacebuilding in the international arena, its goal of becoming one of the world’s top ten arms exporters—without increased transparency—threatens to undermine that reputation.

Some Concerning Key Points

• Australia’s military industry is expanding rapidly, with export permits increasing in value by over 3000% in just a few years.
• Government data on exports is inconsistent, with conflicting reports from Defence and Foreign Affairs.
• Australia has recently approved exports to countries with known human rights abuses, including Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the UAE.
• There is no publicly available information on exactly what weapons are being exported, by whom, to whom, or for what purpose.
• Other nations with similar export volumes—such as the UK and the Netherlands—offer far more transparency.

As the arms trade grows more opaque and global military spending reaches record highs, we are reminded that silence can be complicity. Friends are encouraged to take action, speak truth to power, and live out our peace testimony with clarity and courage.

QPLC is finalising the full briefing report. This will be launched early in the new parliamentary term, with the support of other civil society groups.

What Can You Do?

• Read the briefing materials.
• Write or visit your local Member of Parliament. Use the summary briefing as a basis. You might ask:
  What is Australia doing to ensure arms exports are not contributing to human rights abuses?
  Will Australia improve transparency in line with other leading democracies?
• Join the QPLC mailing list to receive regular updates on this and other peace and justice concerns. Write to peaceworker@quakersaustralia.info.