Why hasn’t Albanese signed a treaty he championed in 2018? | Four Corners

Key Concepts

• UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW): An international treaty aiming to prohibit nuclear weapons.
• Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): An international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, promoting cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament.
• Nuclear Umbrella: A security guarantee provided by a nuclear-armed state to its allies, implying protection through the threat of nuclear retaliation.

Albanese Government's Pledge and Current Stance on Nuclear Weapons Treaties

The transcript discusses the Australian Labor government's pledge made in 2018 to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). However, six months into its second term, the Albanese government has not yet signed the treaty.

When questioned by an unnamed individual, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who seconded the motion to sign the treaty, stated that the government's decision has been to adhere to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He emphasized that the NPT is "at the core of labor and government's policy."

Distinction Between TPNW and NPT

The transcript clarifies that the NPT, as referenced by Marles, is distinct from the TPNW.

• TPNW: Aims to ban nuclear weapons entirely.
• NPT: Seeks to limit the number of nuclear arms states rather than ban nuclear weapons.

The NPT has been Labor policy for over 50 years.

Implications of Signing the TPNW for Australia

The transcript outlines the practical consequences if the Labor government had proceeded with signing the TPNW as pledged:

• Australia would have been the first nation under America's "nuclear umbrella" to take such a position.
• Practically, this would have meant that nuclear-armed bombers or submarines would not be welcome on Australian shores. This implies a potential disruption to existing defense arrangements and alliances that rely on nuclear deterrence.

Conclusion

The core takeaway is the divergence between the Labor government's past pledge to sign the TPNW and its current policy, which prioritizes adherence to the NPT. This shift has significant implications for Australia's defense posture and its relationship with nuclear-armed allies, particularly the United States, as signing the TPNW would likely conflict with the security arrangements provided by the US nuclear umbrella.