Liberal Democratic Party want tougher rules on war authorisation

From: Liberal Democratic Party

By Mark Walmsley, LDP WA President & Senate Candidate

Media Release

The Liberal Democrats believe former Army chief Peter Leahy’s calls for Parliament to decide when to send our troops to war do not go far enough.

“In the current system, the Prime Minister and executive can take the country to war. This threshold is too low and does not give the electorate a voice through their elected representatives,” Senate candidate Mark Walmsley said.

“The Liberal Democrats believe any commitment of our military should require a two-thirds majority vote of a joint sitting of Parliament.

“This will require every Senator and House Representative to vote on the war. In doing so citizens can make representations to their local member and will know how their local member and senator voted. This provides for true democratic accountability.

Since the initial Iraq engagement there have been two Federal elections, resulting in two new Parliaments taking office. However there has been no parliamentary review of the initial decision.

“The Liberal Democrats believe that following an election, all ongoing Australian military engagements should be re-affirmed as a priority by the new Parliament.

“Unless two-thirds of Parliamentarians vote to stay the course, plans should be drawn up for a prompt withdrawal,” Mr Walmsley said.

Mark Walmsley is president of the WA branch of the Liberal Democratic Party and the party’s candidate for the Senate.

Media contact: Mark Walmsley 0417 111 433 or mark@wa-ldp.org.au

WeAreChange Western Australia endorses the Australian Liberal Democrats call for a two-thirds majority vote by Parliament to authorise war, in particular the requirement for every new Parliament to vote on Australia’s military engagements.