NAAA Correspondence

Submission to ACT Government Inquiry into Billboards

Submission from the No Airport Arms Ads campaign (NAAA) of the Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia) to the ACT Legislative Assembly Inquiry into Billboards.

June 2017

The No Airport Arms Ads campaign was launched in 2015 with the goal of the removal of weapons advertising from Canberra Airport.  The campaign continues, on behalf of the many Canberrans and others who regard the advertising of war profiteers as offensive. 

Petition to Canberra Airport management

On October 28, 2015, the campaign presented a petition with over 1,500 signatures to the airport management. The petition called on the airport to stop arms industry promotion.

Letter to Chief Minister Andrew Barr, 6 April 2016

The Chief Minister replied to this letter on 21 April stating that the ACT Government has no legal jurisdiction in the matter, that he had raised the concerns with the owners of Canberra Airport, but "ultimately it is not a matter that the ACT Government can determine".  He has declined to meet with any NAAA representatives.

Letter from Chief Minister Andrew Barr, 3 August 2015

The Chief Minister notes that ".....this matter is not within the jurisdiction of the ACT Government."  NAAA has acknowledged this, but emphasised the importance of our local government's advocacy in matters relating to how our city is presented to visitors, as well as to Canberrans returning home.