DATE: To be added
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Prime Minister
Canberra ACT 2600
cc Senator The Hon Penny Wong
Subject: Proposal for the Establishment of a Minister for Peace in Australia
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing to you today to urge the Australian Government to give serious consideration to the establishment of a Minister for Peace.
In a world facing unprecedented challenges, from escalating geopolitical tensions to the existential threat of climate change, a dedicated focus on peacebuilding at the highest level of government is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic necessity.
The undersigned organisations highlight the urgent need to shift our national priorities from a paradigm of militarisation to one of proactive and sustained peacebuilding.
There is a growing concern and awareness of the staggering human, environmental, and economic costs of conflict. With global military spending reaching $2.4 trillion annually and the military’s significant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, it is clear that our current approach is unsustainable and counterproductive to a secure and prosperous future for all.
A Minister for Peace would provide the dedicated leadership and coordination required to embed peace as a central organising principle of Australia’s foreign and domestic policy.
By establishing a Minister for Peace, Australia would not only be taking a significant step towards a more peaceful and just world but would also be enhancing its own national security and international standing. A Minister for Peace would also enhance Australia’s efforts to gain a seat on the United Nations Security Council
A Minister for Peace could consolidate and co-ordinate all of the peace-related functions, under one umbrella, within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and increase resources for conflict prevention and diplomacy, and champion a whole-of-government approach to peacebuilding.
The initial proposals from the Make Peace a Priority initiative, such as expanding the role of the Minister for International Development and consolidating peace-related areas under a single Deputy Secretary, offer a practical and achievable starting point.
It would signal to the world that Australia is a nation committed to resolving conflicts through dialogue, cooperation, and a genuine desire for a sustainable and equitable peace. This initiative would build upon Australia’s proud history of multilateralism and its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
We believe such a move would be in line with the growing urgency for greater in international attention on peace and conflict prevention and send a strong signal as to Australia’s focus on conflict prevention, especially for Indo-Pacific countries. It would also provide a clear focus on conflict prevention/peacebuilding within Government and could be an important initiative in support of Australia’s bid for the UN Security Council.
We believe that there is a real imperative for Australia to act decisively on peace given the urgent need to increase stability in our region and across the world. We are hopeful that this proposal might gain your support and we would welcome an opportunity to discuss further with your advisory team regarding this proposal.
We would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this proposal with you further and to share the detailed arguments and proposals from the ‘Make Peace a Priority’ initiative.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter.
Yours faithfully
SIGNATORIES TO BE ADDED
Organisational Names: