MAKE PEACE A PRIORITY
125th Anniversary of Australian Parliament
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Historical Significance
9 May 1901: Australia's first federal parliament met in Melbourne 9 May 1927: “New” parliament house opened in Canberra 9 May 1988: Permanent Parliament House opened on Capital Hill
This campaign aims to leverage the 125th anniversary of the opening of Australia's federal parliament to advance arguments for genuine Australian independence and peaceful foreign policy.
Campaign stages:
Movement Building - Build coalition of unions, peace groups, faith communities, environmental organisations
Political Engagement - Brief ministers and MPs leading to ALP National Conference
Public Education - Shift public understanding on independence and peace issues
Policy Pressure - Compel government response on military commitments and democratic accountability
2026 Timeline
January Planning, Resource Development & MP Briefings
March High-Level Political Delegation
May 9 National Anniversary Events
July 23-25 ALP National Conference.
The campaign culminates at the ALP National Conference in Adelaide, where the party's National Platform for the next three years will be debated and agreed, providing a strategic opportunity to influence Labor Party policy on peace and independence issues.
Core Messages
"True Independence Starts Now"
End foreign military bases and assert genuine sovereignty
"Peace is Our Priority"
Redirect $370B from AUKUS to genuine self-defence and reallocation to healthcare, education & climate action
"Treaty for True Independence"
Recognise Indigenous sovereignty as foundation of genuine independence
Initial (Achievable) Proposals
Expand Minister for International Development Role to include Peacebuilding
Integrate peacebuilding responsibilities within existing ministerial portfolio
Consolidate All Areas Working on Peace
Ensure peace is given appropriate focus across government departments and agencies
Increase Resourcing for Conflict Prevention
Provide additional funding for research bodies, increase resources for Australia's role on the Peacebuilding Commission, and expand resources for diplomacy to pursue a peace agenda in the Indo-Pacific
ITS TIME - JOIN THE CAMPAIGN
Help secure stakeholder commitment for Australia's largest coordinated peace campaign. Together we can build the political pressure needed to make peace our priority and achieve genuine independence.
Get Involved: Contact your local IPAN representative or call:
Jonathan Pilbrow 0403 611 815 or David Higginbottom 0429 471 949
Web: ipan.org.au | Email: info@mpap.au