The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network, to which we belong, held its annual national conference in September. Hosted in Melbourne by the Maritime Union, its theme “War, Peace & Independence: Keep Australia out of US Wars” had common themes of US bases, welcoming expert and author David Vine as well as what Australia’s foreign and defense policy currently means and how it could look, with revision and alternative thinking to our current strategic and political norms.

Two of our national committee members represented SafeGround at Saturday’s session, hearing many thought-filled addresses and panel discussions. These showed the possibility of directions foreign policy in Australia could take, towards a more independent and strong stance, dictating our own strategy. A room of engaged thinkers, of all ages, gives hope to the development and acceptance of these ideas, in Australia’s best interests in the future.

– Matilda Byrne

For more information on IPAN and their work see their site www.ipan.org.au