Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention
Twelfth Meeting of States Parties
Destroying stockpiled anti-personnel mines
6 December 2012
Mr President
Australia strongly encourages countries to comply with Article 4 of the Convention on the destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel mines.
We ourselves do not have a stockpile, although Australia has retained anti-personnel mines for training purposes, as permitted by the Convention, which we report on annually. Small quantities of these mines are used each year for our training requirements. Australia views retention of anti-personnel mines as essential for Australian Defence Force (ADF) training requirements.
The decision to retain anti-personnel mines for training purposes was based on ADF training and doctrinal requirements as they were perceived at the time, prior to Australia ratifying the Convention. However, ADF requirements for the use of anti-personnel mines for training purposes over the past decade have fallen short of expectations, leaving greater numbers of anti-personnel mines retained than anticipated.
Australia conducted a review of anti-personnel mines retained for training purposes and destroyed over 50 per cent of these anti-personnel mines during 2012. This includes the destruction of all 100 serviceable detonator assemblies previously held by Australia. Given this, our understanding is that Australia’s remaining landmines retained for training purposes would not be defined as anti-personnel mines by the Convention.
Australia will nonetheless continue to report fully on retained anti personnel mines.
Thank you.