In this eye-opening episode of the SafeGround Podcast, host Lilly McKenzie examines Australia's covert arms industry, revealing how foreign multinational defense companies dominate and influence government decisions. Featuring insights from expert researcher Michelle Fahy and Australia Stop Killer Robot coordinator Matilda Byrne, we explore long standing secrecy, controversy over weapons exports, and the role of Australia within the global arms trade. The discussion also highlights the rise of autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), the ethical and legal risks of AI-driven warfare, and the urgent need for international arms control treaties. Discover why transparency, defense regulation, and arms trade accountability are vital for safeguarding democracy, human rights, and peace in the era of military robotics.

Keywords: arms industry, autonomous weapons, LAWS, AI in warfare, Australian defense, arms trade, international arms control, military robotics, transparency, defense exports, arms influence, climate security, human rights, disarmament, military technology, AUKUS, weapons manufacturing, global security, government accountability, war ethics, stop killer robots.

Introduction and Episode Overview [01:16]

Background on Australia's Defense Industry [01:39]

Influence and Secrecy in the Arms Industry [04:20]

Foreign Ownership and Sovereignty Concerns [10:42]

Employment and Economic Impact [19:43]

Impact on Democracy and Public Accountability [23:21]

Corruption and Conflicts of Interest [27:52]

Growing autonomous military capabilities and Australia’s landscape [31:31]

International Collaboration and AUKUS [36:27]

Australian arms companies and autonomous systems development [38:46]

Ethical, Legal, and Security Concerns of Autonomous Weapons [41:07]

Australia's Position on Disarmament Treaties [44:42]

Civil Society and Advocacy Movements [46:18]

Conclusion and Call to Action [48:35]

Attention Parliamentarians: The lack of transparency in Australia’s defense research and arms exports, especially regarding autonomous weapons, is a critical issue. It hampers accountability, risks misuse and corruption, as well as undermines international disarmament commitments. We urge you to advocate for clear, public reporting & responsible arms control policies. Your leadership can shape a more transparent, peaceful future for Australia and the world."

Thank you for listening!

If you have questions or concerns please contact us via info@safeground.org.au

If you want to know more look for us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Australia Campaign to Stop Killer Robots or use the hashtag #AusBanKillerRobots.

Become part of the movement so we ‘stay in command’!

For access to this and other episodes along with the full transcription and relevant links and information head to safeground.org.au & https://safeground.org.au/category/dispatches/podcasts/

Link to the International Stop Killer Robots campaign: https://www.stopkillerrobots.org

Our podcasts come to you from all around Australia and we would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners throughout and their continuing connection to country, land, waters and culture.

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In this episode of Stay in Command we showcase the ICRC perspective on autonomous weapons and the need for limits. Our guest is a weapons and disarmament expert, Neil Davison from ICRC's Department of Law and Policy at Geneva HQs bringing his own insight and the ICRC's view.

Content in this Episode:

ICRC mandate and approach to weapons issues [1:14]

Humanitarian concerns of autonomous weapons [2:27]

Legal Issues [5:40]

Human Control as a core concept [8:14]

Ethical perspective [10:36]

Limits on autonomy [12:28]

International talks and 'crunch-time'[16:59]

If you have questions or concerns please contact us via info@safeground.org.au

If you want to know more look for us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Australia Campaign to Stop Killer Robots or use the hashtag #AusBanKillerRobots.

Become part of the movement so we Stay in Command!

For access to this and other episodes along with the full transcription and relevant links and information head to safeground.org.au/podcasts.

Our podcasts come to you from all around Australia and we would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners throughout and their continuing connection to country, land, waters and culture.

Stock audio provided by Videvo, downloaded from www.videvo.net

In this episode of Stay in Command we discuss the diplomatic process and progress being made regarding lethal autonomous weapons systems. The episode featured Elizabeth Minor from UL-based NGO Article 36 which works to to prevent harm from weapons through stronger international standards and is on the steering committee of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots. We look at how this issue has progressed and where it is going. We unpack key themes in the current debate and where the process must go.

Content in this episode:

Overview of this issue on the diplomatic stage to date [00:01:56]

Human Control Unpacked [00:09:05]

Human control in international debates[00:12:57]

Notion of the so-called 'entire life cycle' of the weapon [00:14:50]

False solution of proposed techno-fixes [00:18:35]

Limitations of Article 36 Weapons Reviews[00:20:50]

Debates around definition [00:25:58]

Going beyond the guiding principles[00:29:28]

Arriving at ‘Consensus recommendations’[00:30:31]

How a Legally Binding Instrument might look [00:33:26]

How we get there-diplomatic avenues[00:37:06]

The need for decisive action and leadership[00:38:42]

If you have questions or concerns please contact us via info@safeground.org.au

If you want to know more look for us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Australia Campaign to Stop Killer Robots or use the hashtag #AusBanKillerRobots.

Become part of the movement so we Stay in Command!

For access to this and other episodes along with the full transcription and relevant links and information head to safeground.org.au/podcasts.

Our podcasts come to you from all around Australia and we would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners throughout and their continuing connection to country, land, waters and culture.

Stock audio provided by Videvo, downloaded from www.videvo.net