The agreement between Israel, the US and Iran to a two-week ceasefire is a positive development in a war that should have never started. This illegal and chaotic war of choice by the United States must be a turning point for Australia to unshackle itself from the US and pursue an independent defence and foreign policy.
Following insults and threats from US President Donald Trump over the past weeks, including that "a whole civilisation will die" by the US targeting Iran's civilian infrastructure, the US has agreed to a limited ceasefire with Iran.
Since the beginning of the US and Israeli war on Iran, devastation and killing have spread throughout the region. The economic and social impacts have been felt in Australia, with the public paying the cost of war through the rising cost of living.
To its shame, the Albanese Labor Government was the first in the world to support Trump and Netanyahu's illegal attacks on Iran. Australia has been further involved in the war through US bases, including Pine Gap and North West Cape and hundreds of Australians embedded in the US military.
Despite strong opposition from the Australian public, the Labor government has delivered everything Donald Trump asked for in this war and its deployments have included SAS troops and an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft being sent to the war zone.
Acting Greens Leader, Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:
"We welcome this ceasefire and hope it holds, for the safety of civilians in the region and for the good of the world.
"This war has exposed the consequences of the failure of nations around the world to hold Israel and the US to account for their flagrant disregard for international law.
"Labor's reckless decision to back the US and Israeli strikes, send military assets to the region, and turn a blind eye to Trump's escalating threats sends the message that Australia will consider this collapse in international norms acceptable.
"How many more lives will be stolen before Labor learns its lesson that licking the boots of the US can come to no good?
The Greens are the only anti-war party in the Parliament. The Labor-Liberal-One Nation unity ticket on war has only made Australia less safe and raised the cost of living for everyday Australians.
"Australia needs to be part of global efforts to build a world that respects human rights, strongly opposes attacks on civilians, and actively works to bring peace. To do that, Labor must dump Trump and cancel AUKUS."
Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson for Defence and Foreign Affairs, said:
"This must be a turning point. This must be the moment where Australia sheds its dependency on the US and starts to chart an independent foreign policy that is focused on peace and stability. That starts with scrapping AUKUS.
"The US is not a trusted friend, and it's not a dependable ally, it is a force of chaos and aggression.
"This war has demonstrated that US bases don't make you safe in any war the US starts, they make your country a target.
"The rapid expansion of US bases in Australia must stop, and facilities like Pine Gap must be closed. They do not make Australians safe and they do not promote stability in the world.
"The Albanese Labor Government, backed in by the war parties of One Nation and the Liberals, have handcuffed Australia to the US military. This has had devastating impacts on the country and the world.
"Unless we see clear material actions from the Albanese Government to prevent the US from conducting these wars in the future, then it will be giving a licence for Trump to do this again.
"Australia must now work with middle powers to ensure that this fragile ceasefire can become a lasting peace. It must also enforce consequences on the US for starting this war.
"This is the time to withdraw Australian troops from the US military, close US bases in Australia and end AUKUS.
"We need to have confidence and courage in Australia's ability to build peace and security in our region without being hostage to a great and powerful friend with no interests but their own."
