Crossbench MPs launch push to stop Australian military exports being used in human rights breaches
Guardian AU
β’Sun, 13 Sep 2026 15:00:09 GMT
π° What Happened
A group of independent and Greens MPs has introduced a bill to stop Australian military parts being used in human rights abuses. David Pocock, Sophie Scamps, Lidia Thorpe, Andrew Wilkie and Fatima Payman are behind it.
The bill is called the 'red lines' legislation. It would ban defence equipment, technology and services from being used where they could break Australia's international human rights duties.
The MPs especially want to end Australia's role in making parts for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel's air force in Gaza. The plan would also create an independent anti-genocide commissioner.
π The Backstory
Australia has helped build F-35 jets for decades. The government says the work is part of an agreement with US company Lockheed Martin, not directly with Israel. The foreign minister calls Australia's part 'non-lethal'.
Pressure has been building on the Albanese government. Last week it was criticised, including from its own side, for not following the UK in banning trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Labor is not expected to support the bill. Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi said the package delivers 'exactly what Australians expect of their government'.
π― Why It Matters
The debate is about whether Australian-made parts can be linked to harm overseas. It could change who we sell weapons to, and how that is reported.
A group of independent and Greens MPs has introduced a bill to stop Australian military parts being used in human rights abuses. David Pocock, Sophie Scamps, Lidia Thorpe, Andrew Wilkie and Fatima Payman are behind it.
The bill is called the 'red lines' legislation. It would ban defence equipment, technology and services from being used where they could break Australia's international human rights duties.
The MPs especially want to end Australia's role in making parts for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel's air force in Gaza. The plan would also create an independent anti-genocide commissioner.
Australia has helped build F-35 jets for decades. The government says the work is part of an agreement with US company Lockheed Martin, not directly with Israel. The foreign minister calls Australia's part 'non-lethal'.
Pressure has been building on the Albanese government. Last week it was criticised, including from its own side, for not following the UK in banning trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Labor is not expected to support the bill. Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi said the package delivers 'exactly what Australians expect of their government'.
The debate is about whether Australian-made parts can be linked to harm overseas. It could change who we sell weapons to, and how that is reported.