Last night, US President Trump launched a new illegal bombing campaign against Iran. The Australian Government's support for Trump's latest illegal war is a clear breach of international law and the prohibition on wars of aggression.
The Iranian people deserve to be free from persecution and domination, both from the current regime and from foreign powers. History shows, and the world knows, that US military attacks and Donald Trump's kidnappings and assassinations do not produce peace and do not produce justice.
While US bombs and missiles rain down on Iran, there is every likelihood that they are being targeted with the direct or indirect assistance of "joint" US-Australian military facilities at Pine Gap and North West Cape.
The Greens have consistently and clearly condemned the Iranian Regime's violent response to recent protests and long history of oppression, and we have backed the Woman Life Freedom movement. We know that the people of Iran who have been the victims of the regime will be the same people who are right now being killed, injured and driven into further poverty and fear by US bombing.
Senator Waters, Leader of the Australian Greens, said:
"Trump and Netanyahu's illegal attacks last night have unleashed chaos across the Middle East.
"This war will not bring safety to the brave Iranian people who are fighting for liberation from the brutal regime. Innocent people have already been massacred, including at least 60 children in Southern Iran killed by US and Israeli strikes on an elementary school last night. Our hearts ache for their families. This war will see homes and cities razed to the ground and countless innocent lives lost.
"The Greens condemn these illegal, abhorrent and unilateral attacks. Australians do not want to be dragged into another US-Israeli war.
"Australia's support of Trump and Netanyahu's illegal attack last night was disgraceful.
"We cannot bomb our way to peace.
"The Labor government must immediately rule out Australian support for Trump and Netanyahu's illegal war. No resources. No intelligence. No more cover.
"The Labor government must also confirm to the Australian people that no intelligence from Pine Gap or other US bases in Australia was used last night, and rule out allowing these bases to be used in this illegal war going forward.
"End AUKUS. Australia must be a force for peace and diplomacy across the world."
Senator Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said:
"No one seriously believes that Donald Trump cares about the rights or lives of people in Iran. Just like other US wars that Australia has supported in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, the talk is about freedom and democracy but the reality is killing and destruction. Already, we are seeing reports of schools being destroyed and children killed in airstrikes.
"With barely a moment's pause the Albanese Government has backed Trump and another US-led war in the Middle East. This proves without a shadow of a doubt that Labor has outsourced Australian foreign policy to Washington.
"Labor has made Australia a part of this war by allowing Pine Gap and other US military bases here to be used to gather intelligence and target US bombs and missiles. People see through Labor when it says it believes in international law and then repeatedly backs the US and its illegal wars.
"Time and time again the US has betrayed the people it was claiming to protect, leaving bloodshed in its wake while serving its own corporate and military interests. Trump is no different, even if he is more blatant.
"The Greens are the only anti-war party in the Federal Parliament and we will not shift from that stance, having seen the horrifying scale of killing and displacement that war has visited on the world.
"The world has been watching the bravery of the Iranian people pushing back against a brutal regime and calling for liberation and freedom. The Greens know that a Trump-led military assault on Iran is not a pathway to freedom or a pathway to a democratic regime that is supported by the Iranian people. This attack, like the last, is a pathway to chaos and more killing in Iran.
"There is more Australia can do for the people of Iran, starting with offering safety to those who have fled the regime, especially those already in Australia who are trapped in an unfair refugee process."
