26 January 2012: More than 700 prominent Australians — including past prime ministers, sporting legends, actors and musicians — have signed a statement calling on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to play a leadership role in international efforts to outlaw nuclear weapons.

The appeal, launched on Australia Day, garnered the support of such diverse Australians as acclaimed novelist Bryce Courtenay, media personality Ita Buttrose, Olympic gold medallist Liz Ellis, and former prime ministers Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke and Gough Whitlam.

Signatories also include former governors-generals, High Court judges, foreign ministers, defence ministers and chiefs of the armed forces, along with notable scientists, journalists and academics. All those who signed are recipients of the Order of Australia, the nation's highest civilian honour.

The appeal expresses support for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's call for negotiations on a treaty to outlaw and eliminate nuclear weapons, and recommends that Australia adopt a "nuclear-weapon-free defence posture". (Australia claims reliance on US nuclear weapons for its security.)

Former premier of the state of Victoria, Steve Bracks, said: "International cooperation provides the only route to a nuclear-weapon-free world. I support a nuclear weapons convention and hope that Australia can be one of its prime movers."

Sir Gustav Nossal, a past Australian of the Year, said: "Australia Day 2012 is an appropriate day for all Australians to nail their colours to the mast for an eventually nuclear-weapon-free world. The convention is already supported by a veritable legion of Australian leaders, and I now call on the Australian public to raise their voices for a truly important cause."

The appeal was initiated by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons in 2011, with the backing of Malcolm Fraser. Board member Frederick Mendelsohn, a neuroscientist, played a leading role. “It is time to create a comprehensive, verifiable treaty to abolish nuclear weapons. Failure to rid the world of these dreadful weapons would expose future generations to unacceptable risk," he said.

Go to: www.nuclearweaponsconvention.org.au