Using the freedom of information law, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) has obtained a tranche of confidential cables between Canberra and various Australian diplomatic missions around the world in relation to the recent movement regarding the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. To anyone who has followed Australian policy on the global nuclear debate over the last three to four years, the cables contain no surprises. Rather, they document what is broadly known about Australia's approach to this issue. They underline some positive features of Australian foreign policy but also confirm the limitations inherent to bureaucracies in looking for imaginative solutions to intractable problems.
The cables show Australia is a responsible state actor that takes its international commitments very seriously. It is not prepared to go along with a trending popular movement simply for the sake of getting along with the world's "moral majority." It takes its signature on international documents as a commitment that must be honored. If the obligations conflict with existing commitments and policies, Australia will withhold its signature, even at the cost of unpopularity with sections of the domestic audience and the international community.
In this case, Canberra concluded that signing on to the humanitarian consequences statements at the three global summits held so far — in Oslo, Nayarit (Mexico) and Vienna — and at the U.N. General Assembly would be inconsistent with Australia's security alliance with the United States and its stated dependence on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Australia is to be applauded for holding steadfast to the courage of its convictions and demonstrating national integrity in foreign policy.