Antinuclear

Opposition was led by Norway, Austria, and Mexico, with powerful support from the Cluster Munition Coalition, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and a large number of UN agencies, notably the UN Development Program, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Which got me to thinking about Australia’s bid for a seat on the UN Security Council.

It its core pitch document, Australia prioritises active participation in “international peace and security” as it’s second highest contribution to the UN over its 65 year history. ….

Australia:…

• initiated the Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons and, more recently with Japan, the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament

Arguably, enough has been done in November to all but unravel Australia’s UN Security Council message that proudly states, ”Australia: We do what we say”.

Obama’s Darwin naval base ….

Cluster munitions ratification 

…..the provision in the legislation explicitly permitting stockpiling will remain, and many are rightly worried that a future – or present – government may reneg on their stated commitment. Labor under Rudd and Gillard have, certain WikiLeaks cables have revealed, taken an active role behind the scenes to dilute the standard limiting the production, trasnfer and use of cluster munitions…….

Gillard’s about-turn on uranium ….

Wither Australia’s normative leadership Combined with a perceived level of indifference for the rule of law during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the Gillard governments voting against Palestine’s UNESCO membership, it is inconceivable that Australia may reasonably pitch themselves as principled and responsible international citizens at this time

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/this-blog-harms/2011/11/28/australias-recent-record-on-arms-control-may-harm-un-security-council-bid/