Non Proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament
Chemical Weapons
Chemical weapons as defined by the Chemical Weapons Convention cover "any chemical which through its chemical action on life processes can cause death, temporary incapacitation, or permanent harm to humans or animals," as well as munitions, devices or equipment designed for use in connection with such chemicals as weapons.
Australia views proliferation of chemical weapons as a potentially serious threat both to global security, and, particularly if chemical weapons became prevalent in our region, to our own security. Australia's commitment to the eradication of this class of weapons of mass destruction is further strengthened by the memory of the many Australian casualties of chemical weapons use on the battlefields of Europe in the First World War.
Australia strongly supports the operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which is the only verifiable international treaty to ban comprehensively an entire category of weapons. This Convention provides for declaration and destruction of existing chemical weapons, past chemical weapons programs and old and abandoned chemical weapons; declaration and routine inspection of facilities producing chemicals which could be used for chemical weapons purposes; international cooperation in the face of threats of chemical weapons use, and in the use of chemicals for peaceful purposes; and "challenge inspections" which states may request if they have concerns that other states party to the Convention are not abiding by their obligations. Australia was an original signatory to the Convention, (13 January 1993) and was among the first nations to ratify it, in May 1994.
Australia continues to promote the CWC, including through implementation of its provisions, coordinated through the Australian Safeguards and Nonproliferation Office (ASNO), and close cooperation on implementation of the Convention with regional countries and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague.
* The development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons are banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which entered into force in 1997. Details of the Convention, and of the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of its provisions, may be found at www.opcw.org.