ADJOURNMENT

Mr ZAPPIA (Makin) (16:39): At the IPU conference in Geneva in July, on the theme 'A world in turmoil: parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace', actor, activist and UN Messenger for Peace, Michael Douglas, delivered a sobering assessment of the world today. The speech can be found on the internet, but the following are some of his words, which speak of the precarious global issues we face: … right now, the world feels more dangerous than at any point in my lifetime. … … … Nations are spending more and more on machines of war, and less and less on the people they're purporting to protect.

As defense budgets climb into the hundreds of billions, millions go without access to healthcare or childcare, food in their bellies or quality education—the true foundations of security. As a result, inequality within and between countries is an ever-widening chasm … the Earth itself buckling under the weight of exploitation. … … … Money has corrupted politics. … … … We are more divided within our countries along political, racial, and economic lines. … … … We've seen it in rising authoritarianism and political violence.

In attacks on the free press and election workers. In a politics of us-versus-them that punishes cooperation, and demonizes the most vulnerable among us. Today we live in a world better connected than ever before.

Our daily news and social discourse are as much about overseas matters as they are about domestic matters. But, regrettably, it is a world where countries compete for the same global resources; where powerful corporates and the megarich have more power than many governments; where global direction is determined behind closed doors; where slavery, exploitation and human rights abuses are all around us; and where those who dare to expose the truth are silenced or punished.

In 2024, at least 124 journalists and media workers were killed—the most recorded since the Committee to Protect Journalists began collecting data three decades ago. Many of those journalists would have been deliberately targeted for what they revealed or for what they were about to reveal. Whistleblowers are prosecuted when they should be protected.

Julian Assange, David McBride and Richard Boyle are all living examples of that. On defence budgets, I note that the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported that global military expenditure increased to $2.7 trillion in 2024. According to the Global Peace Index 2024, 92 countries are currently involved in conflicts beyond their borders, whilst around 39 countries are listed as war zones.

In one of his last communications to the world, the late Pope Francis spoke of two billion people living in conflict. All of these conflicts impact on every other country by increasing the need for humanitarian aid, increasing the number of refugees and affecting trade and travel arrangements. On equality, the latest Oxfam study reports that the richest one per cent own 45 per cent of all global wealth, that 44 per cent of the population live under the world poverty line of US$6.85 per day and that 29 per cent of the world's population will live with food insecurity.

Turning to the Earth buckling under the weight of expectation, I can report that Julian Cribb, in a paper headed 'World water in crisis', references the latest World Meteorological Organisation report. In the paper he states: Half the world's people are already experiencing water scarcity at least one month of the year … By 2050, three quarters of humanity will face drought and water supply shortfalls.

He goes on to say that barely one-third of the world's rivers are still functioning normally. The world is indeed in turmoil, consumed by global military conflicts and catastrophic weather events. As I reflect on Michael Douglas's speech, I note that all of the problems he alludes to are man-made, driven by greed and addiction to power, yet today we have the means to do things that only decades ago were science fiction imaginings.

We have the ability to fix the problems that are causing widespread grief, fear, insecurity and anxiety. The world can be a much better place for all if there is global leadership and a will to change our ways. I conclude with the learned words that Michael Douglas borrowed from American architect Buckminster Fuller at the beginning of his speech.

He said: … imagine our world as a shared vessel: Spaceship Earth … A fragile craft, careening through the cosmos, with no passengers—only crew. All of us, all of humanity, equally responsible for its care. We all want a better world to live in, and it is up to all of us to make it better.