Australia seems eager to go to war over Taiwan
- Despite claims to the contrary, Canberra is laying the legal groundwork by proposing to reconstitute the war power of its governor-general
As they say, watch what I do, not what I say. Last month, Richard Marles, Australia’s defence minister, said his country had “absolutely not” given the United States any commitment to fight over Taiwan.
Yet, less than two weeks after he tried to dial back rising tensions with China, an official report came out laying the legal groundwork to enable Australia to go to war over Taiwan. Buried in the document is a key legal proposal that lays bare Canberra’s intention over the Chinese island.
In question is an official inquiry by the defence subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. The inquiry examines how Australia makes – and should make – decisions to send its military into armed conflicts overseas. Among its recommendations is restoring the war power of the governor-general.
Here’s the key passage from the official inquiry, of which I used a condensed version taken from the Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter. It said: “Restore the primacy of the Governor-General under Section 68 of the Australian Constitution to give effect to decisions of government in relation to war or warlike operations, particularly in relation to conflicts that are not supported by resolution by the United Nations Security Council, or an invitation of a sovereign nation.”
“Go to war without the invitation of a sovereign nation” – this can only refer to Taiwan; and without UN authority? Doesn’t that make it illegal under international law?
Section 68, titled “Command of naval and military forces”, says: “The command in chief of the naval and military forces of the Commonwealth is vested in the Governor-General as the Queen’s [presumably now King’s] representative.”